Cardinia Shire standing together on White Ribbon Day

The Cardinia Family Violence Network will be hosting a community walk against family violence on Saturday 25 November with support from Together We Can and Council.

The Walk Against Violence will commence at 12pm, from the Pakenham Library and conclude at Bourke Park. From 12.30pm, there will be some official speakers, including an Indigenous Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony followed by free activities for families until 2.30pm.

Temporary road closures will be in effect along the White Ribbon Day Walk Against Family Violence walking route, 12–12.30pm on Saturday 25 November, at:

• the corner of Henry and John streets
• south-west down John Street
• north-west up Main Street
• south-west into Pakenham Plaza car-park
• south-east through Pakenham Plaza car-park
• north-east up John Street
• south-east down Main Street
• from the roundabout along Station Street to Bourke Park.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Collin Ross encouraged all community members to join in this event to show support for victims and take a stand against family violence.

“I encourage all community members to come along to these events. As a shire that experiences one of the highest reported incidents of family violence in Victoria, it is crucial that we work cooperatively and openly to support each other, to raise awareness and to enact long-term change,” said Cr Ross.

As a White Ribbon Accredited organisation, Council is proud to support a number of projects aimed at raising awareness and stopping family violence, including continuing to work with Family Life, Victoria Police and the University of Melbourne to facilitate the ‘Together We Can’ community initiative.

“In addition to our ongoing activities, Council was recently designated an International Safer Community. This is a demonstration of the shared commitment of community and Council to work together to proactively create a safer community for all, one in which crime, violence and anti-social behaviour is minimised.

“This White Ribbon Day, I ask you to consider the statement - ‘safe children, strong communities’ – as we walk and work together to stop, prevent and end family violence. Let us provide our children with safe homes and supportive communities so that they may have prosperous and safe futures,” said Cr Ross.

Attendees can also contribute to the global initiative The Clothesline Project by decorating t-shirts with messages of support, personal stories, and hopes for a world without family violence.

T-shirts will be collected and publically displayed at Pakenham Library during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from White Ribbon Day (25 November) to International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 10 December.

To join the effort to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence, follow Together We Can on Facebook for the 16 Days of Activism social media campaign – www.facebook.com/twccardiniashire

Show your support for the significant work of White Ribbon Australia by making a tax-deductible donation online at White Ribbon Australia https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/

If you, or someone you know, are experiencing violence, please contact 1800 RESPECT for advice and support. In an emergency, call the police on 000.