Jetski stunt on Sydney Harbour for White Ribbon Day day draws criticism

By ERIN MODARO

A stunt to have 50 jetskis ride in formation through Sydney Harbour for White Ribbon Day has been labeled as controversial by Labor and women’s advocacy groups. The 50 riders, who will all be dressed in white, will cruise under the harbour bridge in the shape of a ribbon.

The ‘flotilla’ of jetskis is going to hit the waters of Sydney Harbour on Friday is a bid to “spark important conversations” and “help end the silence and stigma surrounding violence and harassment” said Minister for Women’s Safety Natalie Ward.

However the battalion of water vehicles has not been received well by Labor MP Jodie Harrison, who called the event “tone deaf”, as well as “confusing”, sparking a debate.

Author Nikkie Gemmel tweeted that the stunt feels like “the equivalent of 50 bros standing in formation with leaf blowers roaring”.

White Ribbon’s jetski stunt feels like the equivalent of 50 bros standing in formation with leaf blowers roaring. It’s bewildering they can’t read the room. They just don’t get it. The conversation they’ll have from this will do their charity untold damage-it stokes…revulsion

— Nikki Gemmell (@NikkiGemmell) November 15, 2022

Janine Hendry, founder of the March4Justice, said on social media that the event was “beyond offensive”, labelling it as a “trivialisation of domestic abuse”.

Kate Fitz-Gibbon, director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Protection Centre also took to social media to criticise the idea, saying “we are so beyond celebrating token efforts, we need evidence-based action, dedicated resources & meaningful change – not jet skis”.

White Ribbon Day is marked each year to raise awareness and foster prevention for violence against women. Individuals can register to host fundraising events to raise money for the organisation.

The jetski demonstration is being joined by NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW and Surf Live Saving NSW.

“Every dollar donated goes towards supporting important work to end violence against women” a Facebook post promoting the event said.

White Ribbon Director changes stance

White Ribbon Australia National Director Allan Ball welcomed the event, saying on Monday that the organisation hopes the event will “inspire people to take action to effect change at the local level”.

However, reports today say that Ball has distanced himself from the event following backlash, by confirming that the event is not run directly by White Ribbon.

Ball explained to The Guardian that the jetskis are just one event in the hundreds of individual events that are taking place for White Ribbon Day this Friday.

“It is not being organised by White Ribbon Australia” he said.