The Great Lakes Women’s Shelter worked with Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service to put on a community event to raise funds and awareness of the issue on Friday, November 24.

Case Manager Renee Molineaux is passionate about raising awareness of the issue.

“Today is about being out in the community, and being visible, because this issue is still surrounded by a lot of shame, and it is the most unreported crime,” she said.

“Having it out in the community and being visible and talking about it, naming it for what it is is important.

“All proceeds from the event go to Great Lakes Women’s Shelter and the work we do here. We are one of the state’s hot spots. We are in the top five, so the help is really needed.

“We don’t receive government funding, so community events like these are huge for us. We’ve thrown today together at very short notice, we only started planning on Tuesday.”

The event featured dancers from the Koori Girls Dance Group, a number of guest speakers, and the launch of a new book, written by Steph Flower.

“It’s a children’s book,” Steph said.

“It’s to be used to just raise that discussion with families, and in childcare and schools, about domestic violence.”

White Ribbon Day is the only national violence prevention campaign. It raises awareness among men and boys about how they can prevent violence against women

“White ribbon day was set up by a man, for men,” Renee said.

“They can take an oath to do what they can to end male violence against women and girls.

“We have a few men getting up to talk, then we will do a walk across the Wallis Lake Bridge, and the day will finishe with a barbecue. 

“It’s all about making sure the community sees us.”