A FEW days after Loud Fence ribbons were removed from outside St Patrick\u2019s Cathedral on Sturt Street, members of the movement and people from the wider community replaced them.<\/p>\n
The colourful and flowing acknowledgements of survivors and victims of abuse have been a hallmark of many locations in the Ballarat region for years.<\/p>\n
Mid-last week a man removed ribbons from St Patrick\u2019s claiming he wanted to start a discussion, and Loud Fence founder Maureen Hatcher said she welcomed that dialogue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s great,\u201d she said. \u201cThe whole idea of the ribbons really is to create discussion and conversation anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cChild sexual assault is a topic that people find very hard to talk about, whether they are a survivor, victim, seeking help or want to ask somebody about the issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ribbons are really a reminder that we do need to have these conversations and they are something that create conversations. If someone cuts them down, whatever the intentions are, they are still creating conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the ribbons have often been placed by people associated with Loud Fence, Ms Hatcher said Sunday\u2019s re-tying was a spontaneous event organised by a member of the wider community.<\/p>\n
Jaida Wilson was that person.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did it for the survivors,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was sad. It\u2019s so lively normally, and for there to be this big gap.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe survivors\u2019 trauma is dredged up all the time. This is just another one of those times and they need community support.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had people here earlier than what I expected, the fence is looking great and there are survivors here who are talking and engaging, and that\u2019s what\u2019s important.\u201d<\/p>\n