We are on a mission to eliminate the coward’s punch from our society and save lives in the process
We see it so many times. CCTV footage on the news showing the moment a punch is thrown and countless lives are changed forever.
Since 2000, well over one hundred lives have been lost in Australia from deadly blows to the head, and hundreds more victims injured. The coward’s punch leaves a devastating ripple through society, mentally and physically scarring family, friends and survivors for life.
We started the Coward’s Punch Campaign in 2012 to raise awareness of the devastating impact of this scourge in our society. Since then I’ve been overwhelmed at the support we’ve received, with countless entertainers, athletes, community leaders, politicians and everyday Australians joining the fight to stop the coward’s punch.
As a professional boxer, I know better than most what can happen when you punch someone. But there’s a world of difference between consenting athletes stepping in the ring with rules and referees, and punching an unsuspecting victim with no protection.
A coward’s punch is exactly that. Cowardly. It doesn’t matter how upset or angry you are in the moment – there’s no excuse for such a gutless act.
And the truth is that nearly everyone who throws a coward’s punch regrets it in the cold light of day. Not only can it result in jail time and tear apart families, no one wants to live with the guilt of having ended a life because of a terrible split-second decision.
The STOP the Coward’s Punch campaign looks to educate people of the risks, so they don’t make a choice they’ll regret for the rest of their lives.
If I can make even one person think before striking out, that’s a victory.
Danny Green
With state and federal government, industry, community and corporate Australia support, we are making significant progress to Stop the Coward’s Punch. Key achievements include:
These facts show just how devastating a single blow and other acts of mindless violence can be to you, your family and the community.
There is a minimum eight-year sentences for fatal one-punch assaults influenced by drugs or alcohol.
94% of attackers are with friends or in a group.
Coward’s punch assaults have claimed at least 100 lives across Australia in the past 15 years.
12% of coward’s punches result in death.
Spreading awareness about the devastating effects the coward's punch has on our community. We are on a mission to eliminate it from our society and save lives in the process.
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