Join our Walk Against Family Violence

Published on 18 October 2019

Council has reiterated its commitment to stop family violence in our region by rebranding the annual White Ribbon Walk in a bid to ensure the event continues.

The move follows this month’s announcement that White Ribbon Australia has gone into liquidation.

Council indicated on the day of the announcement that despite the news, it did nothing to change our focus on raising awareness about family violence and helping to prevent it - and that our annual community walk would continue.

As a result, this year’s event will be known as Walk Against Family Violence.

While the name and branding may be different, the importance of the walk and plans for the event haven’t changed.

It will still be held on Friday 22 November, starting in the Langtree Mall at midday, making its way along Langtree Avenue to Seventh Street and down the Langtree Avenue connection.

The event will conclude with a free community barbecue on the riverfront featuring displays and information from local support organisations.

We’re excited to confirm that inspiring guest speaker Fadak Alfayad has continued her support for our community walk, which she’ll lead after addressing participants in the mall.

Fadak is a dynamic Melbourne-based community lawyer, writer and advocate, who has spoken across the country and internationally on topics including gender equality, refugees and asylum seekers, migrants and immigration, diversity, identity and belonging, and feminist issues.

The 27-year-old arrived in Australia as a 10-year-old refugee after her family fled the 2003 Iraqi invasion and went on to establish a career as a community lawyer and passionate advocate, working to uphold human rights and ensure access to legal services for marginalised people.

Her work and advocacy has seen her appear extensively in the national media, featured on the ABC, Al Jazeera, VICE Au, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Catalogue Magazine, RightNow, The Citizen and SBS.

General Manager Development Mandy Whelan has led Council’s push to raise awareness and address family violence for more than half a decade through programs to educate and support Council staff, which has a flow on effect on our community.

She said it was important to acknowledge the significant role White Ribbon Australia has played in this initiative.

“The increased awareness in our organisation and the community, and the training and knowledge gained through our association with White Ribbon, has been invaluable,” Ms Whelan said.

“It’s provided the foundation for our organisation to understand and take action on this important issue and raise community awareness along the way, which we will continue, albeit under a different banner.

“Ultimately, the main purpose of our Walk Against Family Violence is to raise awareness about this very important issue, and holding a community walk through our central business district is a very visual and effective way of doing this.

“It helps to remind our community that family violence unfortunately continues to occur in our region on a daily basis, and that there is a need to change residents’ thinking about gender equality and other key factors associated with preventing family violence.

“And thanks to the generous support of the many community and support organisations that take part in our walk, it’s also a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the support services available in our region.”

Media enquiries Ben Piscioneri p) (03) 5018 8689  e) [email protected]