Jackman joins A-listers in powerful anti-violence plea
Deadpool star Hugh Jackman has joined other A-list actors and sporting stars to star in a campaign against family violence that will debut at a major footy clash.
Jackman and fellow Hollywood star Eric Bana, cricketer Usman Khawaja, funnyman Hamish Blake, AFL footballers and other high-profile Australian men took part in a video campaign initiated by the head of the family court.
“Family violence harms too many Australians each year,” Jackman says in the video.
“Family violence is a national disgrace,” Bana adds.
The video will be shown during the Collingwood-Hawthorn AFL game on Friday night at the MCG and also features the captains of both teams.
“Let’s lead by example and show our children and young men that violence is never OK,” Hawks captain James Sicily says.
Pies skipper Darcy Moore says all men have a role to play in helping to end men’s violence against women.
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“By calling out disrespect when we see it and when we hear it and never making excuses for violence, all men can help end violence against women in our community,” he says.
Retired NRL star Johnathan Thurston, musician Vance Joy and comedian Mick Molloy also lent their voices to the campaign.
It was initiated by Federal Circuit and Family Court Chief Justice Will Alstergren, who hoped the video would call out behaviour while stressing men must be part of the conversation about domestic violence.
He said he had been stunned to find family violence involved in more than 70 per cent of cases coming before his courts – and few men did anything to call it out.
“It was really obvious that men just aren’t part of the conversation about this,” Alstergren said.
“At least four out of five men don’t perpetrate family violence. But they’re either apathetic about it or, alternatively, they’re too worried or too nervous to be part of the conversation.
“If Hugh Jackman can do this in New York while he’s promoting a movie, and if Eric Bana can do it, and if Travis Fimmel is prepared to do it, then why aren’t ordinary blokes prepared to get out and do something?
“School teachers, footy coaches, everyone, we can all have a big impact.”
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Alstergren also called for greater wraparound supports for victim-survivors and perpetrators.
“Something must be done to prevent this behaviour before it occurs, and men need to be part of that conversation and the solution,” he said.
“Men who hold leadership positions, especially in an area that sees some of the worst of gendered violence, should feel compelled to be part of the push for change.
“For Australians, sport is the perfect arena in which to start these conversations.”
Jesuit Social Services Men’s Project executive director Matt Tyler said many men who committed domestic abuse felt disconnected, which manifested as violence.
“While not all men perpetrate violence, all men working in solidarity in victim-survivors can play a role in creating communities where everyone can lead healthy lives,” he said.
1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732
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Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
