Crowds march against violence

By Danielle Galvin
IT’S hard to imagine that a dainty white ribbon symbolises the international call for the end to violence against women.
But Cardinia Shire councilors, community workers and service providers marched on Friday in an effort to raise awareness for White Ribbon Day.
Most wore white ribbons to signify their support for the White Ribbon organisation and its work to support women in violent relationships.
The walk around Lakeside Boulevard was one of more than 200 on the day that the United Nations calls the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Clare Camm from Communities for Children said she was impressed by the response from the council and service providers.
“It’s a collective community coming together,” she said.
Ms Camm, who organised the walk, said it was important to raise awareness for women who have suffered at the hands of a violent partner.
“Let’s make violence against women and children a thing of the past. Let’s break the silence around violence against women,” she said.
Ms Camm is hoping to make the event even bigger next year.
“It takes a lot of preparation and more planning. But next year, we’ll hopefully arrange it earlier and get more people along,” she said.
Walkers who came out to support the event included Alana Russo from Cardinia Casey Community Health, Staci Sargent from WAYSS, Jo-Anne Hansford from the Casey Cardinia Library Corporation, Kerrie Thorpe from Connections UnitingCare, Laura Calderone from Stepping Up Consortium and Nick Russo from Summer Snow Juice.