Raising Domestic Violence Awareness: IWD at Nielsen

This year our #InternationalWomensDay focus at #Nielsen was on raising domestic violence
awareness. We welcomed guest speakers from #WhiteRibbon to our local offices in Auckland,
Sydney, Wellington and Melbourne, where we were able to ask questions and learn more about
the harrowing effects of violence against women in our society. One week on from #IWD, we are
still blown away by the astounding statistics that, even as data experts, we struggle to grasp.
The impact to victims of domestic violence really do touch on people of every culture, age,
background, and socioeconomic status.

We were joined by Stephanie Callanan, Manager of the Australian White Ribbon Workplace
Program for four years in the Sydney office, Richie Hardcore who is a Public Speaker, Educator
and MC for Domestic Violence and on the Board of the White Ribbon in NZ who spoke in the
Auckland office, Rob McCann, who has worked for White Ribbon for over 10 years and is
currently the Manager for the New Zealand organisation, in the Wellington office, and Sunila
Kotwal, the Diversity and Inclusion Manager for White Ribbon AUS, in Melbourne.

Those who attended these events learned more about the issue of men’s violence against
women and many felt more empowered to play a part in driving awareness and contributing
towards taking a stand against this type of violence. It was great to hear feedback, from the
events that people’s perceptions and misconceptions had been altered –

“ Stephanie spoke about some very eye opening stats, and spoke very honestly about her own
experiences with domestic violence from a recent relationship. As an associate who is not
originally from Australia, I had the misconception that domestic violence doesn’t happen here. I
was shocked to find that it does, and in several different ways.”

“It was an intense session where we got to discuss and hear more about the violence against
women in different ways, making the topic feel closer to our own reality. The statistics were
shocking and it changed my mindset in regards to how much can I contribute to making an
impact against this.”

“It was a breath of fresh air to hear Richie talk so passionately and openly about ‘masculinity’
and how it can become ‘toxic,’ affecting relationships with women.I hope it made everyone think
about how they can shape societies future by providing our young men with better, more varied
role models.”

We continue to be committed to supporting any of our Pacific associates experiencing domestic
violence through our new Domestic Violence Family Leave policy. Launched on White Ribbon
Day in 2018, the policy seeks to support associates who may be experiencing the effects of
violence at home with up to 10 days paid leave.