The Body Shop and White Ribbon are asking all Australians to Break the silence on Domestic Violence.

One in three Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime…it’s time to speak up about it!

The Body Shop have teamed up with White Ribbon to encourage Australians to take action, listen to a friend, and speak out if they know someone who is experiencing violence in their home or in their personal relationships.

Visit any of The Body Shop stores between Monday 21 July and Sunday 3 August and pick up free wallet-sized cards for yourself, a friend, or family member with all the information you need to Break the Silence on Domestic Violence.

During this time, The Body Shop are also donating all proceeds from the sale of a special edition Shea Butter Lip Care Stick Duo to the White Ribbon Foundation to help fund programs in schools about developing respectful relationships.

So why not buy one for yourself, and give the other to a friend and show your friend that you are there for them.

A recent global survey has shown that a victim of domestic violence is far more likely to confide in a friend than any other source of support. So your role is important! Show your friends that you’re there to offer support, you can also offer them one of The Body Shop’s free information cards with some helpful tips and places to get help. The links on this website are also a great place to start!

The White Ribbon Foundation has identified young men and boys as a priority target audience for education and awareness-raising, and will be developing an innovative program with the input of experts in the field of violence prevention.

Proceeds from the sales of the Shea Butter Lip Care Stick Duo will go to the White Ribbon Foundation’s work in schools, TAFE colleges and Universities to achieve a change in attitudes and behaviour in young boys and girls in relation to respectful relationships and non-violence.

White Ribbon aims to end violence against women in Australia by and by engaging men and changing the attitudes and behaviours that allow this to continue. One in every three Australian women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Along with The Body Shop, White Ribbon is encouraging you to speak out!

As part of its commitment to pursuing social and environmental justice, each year The Body Shop coordinates a major campaign linked to its core values. Domestic violence is an issue that is closely linked to The Body Shop’s core values of Defending Human Rights and Activating Self Esteem. This is the 25th year that The Body Shop has been campaigning in Australia.

The Body Shop hopes to break the taboo of silence that surrounds this insidious crime in our society by educating its customers and the Australian public. Since 2004 The Body Shop Australia has campaigned on the issue of domestic violence. In addition to distributing thousands of public education and awareness materials, The Body Shop has also: fundraised for domestic violence survivor support services, lobbied the government to increase support to children affected by domestic violence, undertaken research and published a survey of community attitudes, understandings and responses to abuse in relationships.