MEDIA RELEASE
White Ribbon Australia supports the decision to withdraw former White Ribbon Ambassador Andrew O’Keefe’s Order of Australia (AM).
Mr O’Keefe has had no association with White Ribbon Australia since 2019, and the organisation denounces, in the strongest possible terms, Mr O’Keefe’s actions and violence against women.
White Ribbon CEO Merinda March said White Ribbon Australia’s past association with Andrew O’Keefe, along with other former ambassadors whose actions have come under public scrutiny, has prompted a fundamental shift in its approach to ending violence against women.
“Andrew O’Keefe’s actions are deeply distressing to Australians who support our organisation’s aims to end violence against women. Mr O’Keefe was White Ribbon Australia’s former chair, and a founding ambassador and his appointment to these positions has been harmful to the values and reputation of our organisation,” Ms March said.
White Ribbon Australia is no longer reliant on public figures or ambassadors. That model failed us, and more importantly, it failed the cause. Real change doesn’t come from celebrity endorsement. It comes from everyday men – dads, brothers, mates, coworkers and the women who support and influence them – having honest conversations, challenging harmful behaviours, and taking responsibility. That is where the movement lives now, and that is where our focus must stay,” Ms March said.
In the face of increasing domestic violence rates and violence against women, White Ribbon Australia’s latest campaign “Not perfect, better” aims to better reach men and boys. Ms March said the “Not perfect, better” theme evolved from a comprehensive series of focus groups held last year, across a broad range of men and boys.
“The focus groups identified that many men and boys felt disconnected from the issue of violence against women – not because they didn’t want to be part of the solution, but because they felt like they couldn’t be. They questioned whether they could speak up if they knew they still had room to be better themselves. We believe all men and boys can play a part in addressing the pervasive scourge of violence against women in Australia”, Ms March said.
White Ribbon Australia, under Communicare’s stewardship, is guided by strong governance, a renewed evidence-based strategy, and a deep commitment to partnering with the community. Our focus remains clear: ending men’s violence against women by engaging men and boys in prevention, accountability, and cultural change.
Andrew O’Keefe was convicted of domestic violence assaults in 2023 and White Ribbon Australia acknowledges the victim of his domestic violence.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Ciara Lowe
Director of Marketing and Communications
M 0404 299 794 | E clowe@communicare.org.au
