AceBreakingNews – Proving the adage that every great journey begins with a single step, a walk against domestic violence that started on New South Wales’ north coast five years ago has seen 200 people take the streets of Ballina in what is now an international movement.

Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published: Dec.01: 2023: ABC NSW News: TELEGRAM Ace Daily News Link https://t.me/+PuI36tlDsM7GpOJe

Ballina Rotary Club president Dave Harmon, who organised the Domestic and Family Violence Walk, is a man motivated by tragedy.

He was at the funeral of a friend who had been killed by her partner when he decided it was time to stake a stand.

“She was murdered in front of three young children by her partner and I remember thinking that day, ‘What the hell is going on with domestic and family violence in our towns and cities?’,” Mr Harmon said.

“I went home and talked to my wife about it and then I took it to Rotary, and that year 2019 we adopted domestic and family violence as as our principle cause.

“It’s amazing what’s happened moving five years ahead … today we have 110 events and activities right throughout Australia happening.”

Mr Harmon said the movement had also spread across the Pacific Ocean into 16 countries, including New Zealand and Fiji.

“If we want to make a change, the whole of community needs to be involved,” he said.

“Don’t be a bystander. We need to really step up and be visible and be loud.”

Commissioner joins march

The 200 people who marched through the streets of Ballina today were willing to do just that.

Among them was the state’s first stand-alone Women’s Safety Commissioner, Hannah Tonkin.

“This event is so important … so I’ve come up from Sydney to show my support for this whole-of-community effort,” she said.

“We know from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that one-in-four women experience violence from a current or former partner.

“We’re seeing this year more than one woman a week killed, murdered by domestic and family violence.

 “It’s absolutely shocking.”

There were more than 34,000 cases of domestic-violence-related assault recorded in NSW in the last 12-month reporting period, with more than 1,000 of those in the Richmond-Tweed region.

‘Tip of the iceberg’

But survivors like Linda, who joined today’s march, believe the extent of the problem is much worse.

“ It’s just the tip of the iceberg,” she said.

“A lot of it happens behind closed doors, and because we’re not speaking out in our own homes about what is happening, we’re not aware of it.”

East Ballina woman Aislinn told the ABC the event was an emotional experience for her.

“When we started the march, I started to feel teary straight away. It’s just so powerful to see everyone turn out,” she said.

“I have a little daughter and it’s important to me she has a good future and I really hope that things change.

“My son is at school and I hope he will grow into a respectful man. It’s something we need to think about every day.”

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