Step out against family violence

AN awareness walk will be held this month as part of the United Nations’ annual Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

The Walk Against Family Violence will start at Ballarat Town Hall on Friday 24 November, running from 4pm to 5.45pm, with attendees invited to show their support for victim-survivors, and commitment to family violence prevention.

WRISC Family Violence Support executive officer Libby Jewson said these awareness campaigns are key to boosting the community’s understanding of the prevalence of the issue and building capacity of services.

“WRISC continues to have high demand for its services,” she said. “This has been true through 2023, and we enjoy good working relationships with the other services in the Central Highlands region.

“We work together to try and respond to the domestic and family violence situation, which is serious across the region, Victoria, and throughout Australia.

“Domestic and family violence is spread across the social demographic, and children are impacted by family violence, even if they’re not directly involved.

“It has lifelong effects on them, so it’s important that they access support.”

The Walk Against Family violence is an initiative of the City of Ballarat, Grampians Health, the Grampians Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, and the Zonta Club of Ballarat.

Attendees are encouraged to wear orange, bring orange signs and banners, and a water bottle.

Afterwards, guest speakers will present in the Town Hall’s Trench Room, and finger food will be served.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is 25 November.