THE Carlton Football Club will pull up its orange socks this Saturday night for the fourth AFL Carlton Respects game against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
The ‘Pull Your Socks Up’ campaign sees Carlton Respects, supported by Our Watch, promote gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
More than one woman a week in Australia is murdered by a current or former partner, while one in three women will experience physical violence from the age of 15.
At 7pm on Saturday night, the lights will be switched off at Marvel Stadium and a minute’s silence will be held to recognise the 69 women who have lost their lives due to violence from a current or former partner in Australia in 2018.
As part of the minute’s silence, participants and supporters of the Carlton Respects program will surround the centre square with orange lights to commemorate these victims of violence.
Our Watch is an organisation that has been established to drive nationwide change in the culture, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children.
The Carlton Respects program sees the Club conduct education and awareness-raising programs in schools and workplaces across Victoria to help the prevention of violence against women.
Saturday night’s game will see Carlton players swap their navy blue socks for orange ones – the international colour of harmony, in a bid to promote gender equality and raise awareness of the devastating effects of domestic violence.
MC Labour are an inaugural partner of Carlton Respects and increased their support of the program to be the major partner for 2019 and 2020.
Carlton CEO Cain Liddle said the Club is looking forward to continuing to strengthen the Carlton Respects program across Australia.
“Carlton Respects is a program our Club is proud to stand behind,” said Liddle.
“Sport can be a real driver of change, which is why our football club has identified Carlton Respects as a key target in our strategic plan, that sees us driven by an unwavering commitment to see this program grow into the most influential gender equality program in sport.
“Saturday night is another chance for our Club to pull its socks up and raise awareness of the devastating effect violence against women is having across Australia.”
Our Watch CEO and Carlton board member Patty Kinnersly reiterated Liddle’s words and praised Carlton for leading the way in normalising gender equality.
“It is terrific to see Carlton taking the lead in promoting gender equality. If we can continue to strive for equality and provide the necessary education through Carlton Respects, we can begin to make a real difference,” Kinnersly said.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and don orange with their navy blue this weekend to show a united front in the battle to increase gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
The Carlton Respects game proudly presented by MC Labour kicks off at 7:25pm this Saturday at Marvel Stadium as Carlton take on the Western Bulldogs.
