By CASEY NEILL
WALK Against Family Violence organisers hope to top last year’s 500-strong turnout to show support for victims and efforts to end the hurt.
City of Greater Dandenong people and procurement services manager Anthony Camillo urged men, women and children to attend the Friday 28 November event in central Dandenong.
“They don’t have to be touched by it to have some strong feelings about it,” he said.
“It’s about raising awareness of the issue.
“It’s about providing a focus point for the community to get involved and demonstrate their own commitment to ending family violence.
“Just by being on the walk it’s a pretty powerful statement that you’re committed to this cause.”
The inaugural march last year started in The Kitchen at Dandenong Market.
“We used that as like a marshalling area to try and encourage some patrons from the market to come along,” Mr Camillo said.
“That created a bit of a buzz, and we’re hoping to do the same thing again.
“We really weren’t sure what sort of response we would get.
“It was just a wonderful demonstration of what people were thinking and how strongly people think about the issue of family violence.
“A lot of people came up to the speakers afterwards and they were sharing their own stories of what they’d experienced.
“We’re trying to build on last year to make a bigger event.”
This year the marchers will end up at the Dandenong Civic Square instead of the Drum Theatre, where they’ll hear from guest speakers.
“At the moment we’ve confirmed with the former police Commissioner Christine Nixon,” Mr Camillo said.
“She’ll be a great speaker and, hopefully, a good drawcard.”
The Greater Dandenong mayor will join her and Mr Camillo hopes representatives from the court system and Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network will also take the stage.
The big screen will broadcast the presentations.
“We’re also intending to play some resources from White Ribbon,” Mr Camillo said.
The walk will start at The Kitchen at Dandenong Market, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, at 10.30am and make its way to Dandenong Civic Square, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets.
The event is to conclude about noon.
For help or support regarding family violence call the 24-hour Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service Victoria (WDVCS) on 1800 015 188 or visit www.asksomeone.org.au . Call triple-zero if in immediate danger.
