For yrs $m's flowed thru White Ribbon's DV "awareness industry" while $m's have been cut from frontline services (shelters, legal, income support). Women’s voices as survivors & wrkers in the sector were erased as male celebrities & pollies became The face of DV advocacy. 1/5

White Ribbon became synonymous w "men doing their part". But how could this well-funded, male-led DV org conscionably co-exist w defunding of frontline services? The same blokes in parliament "saving women" had power to fund their survival, but chose not to. 2/5

Yrs ago I organised fundraiser for Intnl Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women to raise funds for local DV srvcs . White Ribbon's saturated marketing means ppl now associate "WR Day" w DV advocacy. And I got a rude shock when I contacted WR in prep for the event. 3/5

Their name is a trademark. If you raise $ around WR day they demand *50% of all funds raised*. Alternatively pay a hefty sum for branding & become an accredited WR org. WR had no formal arrangements to pass on funds raised across Aus to frontline srvcs 4/5

Its clear WR grew in the space created by austerity & cuts to the public safety net for women. Big $ came in. Smiley powerful blokes like O'Keefe took oaths & wore cool wristbands. Meanwhile shelters closing & women dying. Fair to say this shit got out of hand long ago. 5/5