Ballina community takes stand against domestic violence

MORE than 1000 people from local schools and sporting groups joined concerned community members in a walk against domestic and family violence in Ballina last Friday.

Members of NSW Police, NSW Fire and Rescue and transport company Ballina Buslines also took part in the event, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond.

Participants walked from Ballina Visitor Information Centre along River and Cherry Streets to Ballina Indoor Sports Centre, where the audience enjoyed dance and music performances by Ballina Coast High School students.

Rotarian Dave Harmon, who co-founded the event after his friend’s sister was murdered in front of her three children, said statistically gender-based violence will occur 27 times before a victim reports it.

“To bring about positive change we need to change attitudes, embedded cultural beliefs, and disrespectful behaviours,” he said. “It is up to us. When you see it or hear it, call it out. Stand up and speak up.”

Mr Harmon said the walk was critical in raising awareness about domestic and family violence.

“It is true that you cannot solve a problem that you are not aware of, nor believe exists,” he said. “This walk normalises the conversations that we need to have. Complacency is a friend to this scourge.”

Retired Queensland police commissioner Bob Atkinson spoke of the need for communities throughout Australia to follow Ballina’s lead in bringing domestic and family violence out into the open, while Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council member Jacque Lachmund shared her lived experience story and information about the training she provides to businesses in recognising and supporting employees who are experiencing violence.

NSW Police Inspector Nigel Howard reinforced the message that domestic and family violence is a crime and encouraged everyone who may experience or witness it to come forward to police so victims can receive the help and support they require.

Rotary’s partnership with Cherry Street Sports Club also inspired the Purple Friday campaign, in which people from more than 100 local businesses wear its purple branded shirts every Friday.