Last Friday (November 29) saw over 1,000 people converge onto the streets of Ballina to demonstrate, advocate and educate their community about domestic and family violence (D&FV).
‘Our walk on Friday was about bringing attention to D&FV during the internationally recognised call to action against gender-based violence 16 Days of Activism from the November 25 till December 10,’ said Ballina-on-Richmond’s Rotary’s D&FV lead, Dave Harmon.
‘Domestic and family violence is abuse. It is intimate terrorism. It is bullying of the worst kind. Done at the hands of those who are in our lives to love and protect us. This behaviour is inappropriate and has to stop. A respectful relationship requires good communication, the ability to resolve conflict peacefully and problem-solving skills teamed with kindness, patience and caring. Basic social skills really.’
The march went from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre along River and Cherry Streets to the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre where the audience enjoyed dance and music performances by Ballina Coast High School students and listened to inspiring speakers. Speakers included retired Qld Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson who spoke of the need for all communities throughout Australia to follow Ballina’s lead in bringing Domestic and Family Violence out into the open. Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council member Jacque Lachmund and Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and NSW Police Inspector Nigel Howard.
The rotary campaign was started by Ballina-on-Richmond’s Rotary arm in 2019 to bring awareness to the issue of D&FV. It is a whole of community approach to help bring about positive change.
Purple Fridays
‘Domestic and Family Violence is a whole of community problem and it will take a whole of community approach to help bring about positive change,’ explained Mr Harmon.
‘The “Purple Friday” campaign with Rotary and Cherry Street Sports Group sees over 100 businesses wear our purple branded shirts every Friday. Doctors, primary and secondary school staff, council, retailers and many others. This is wearable advocacy, they are everywhere. These shirts encourage conversations. There are so many examples of notifications being shared with those wearing one of our shirts. The wearer demonstrates they are someone who cares and is responsive to this issue.’
World wide campaign
The campaign has been highly successful and the campaign model developed in Ballina is now being shared with Rotary clubs across 16 countries and has become an endorsed project in these countries for the next three years.
‘Further, NSW Police have formed a three-year partnership with Rotary to address D&FV in our state,’ explained Mr Harmon.
‘This partnership will see both organisations come together during the 16 days of activism to activate a campaign in our towns and cities to raise awareness and educate our communities about D&FV.
‘Locally we help fund and coordinate the delivery of the Respectful Relationships program called Love Bites in local schools; provide support for those experiencing Domestic and Family Violence. So, our commitment to this campaign in Ballina is for the long-term.
‘Let’s all combine to break the silence on disrespectful relationships and call out inappropriate language, behaviour and actions. Don’t be a bystander and be there to support your friend, sister, work colleague, mother, daughter, neighbour or even someone not known to you that is experiencing some kind of abuse. Be part of the change we all want to see in Ballina,’ sadi Mr Harmon.
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