The committee is hosting a fun day, community event in Cooke Parknext Monday (November 24), from 3pm to 6pm. 

There will be a free sausage sizzle, jumping castle, air brush tattoos, live music and a ‘sea of women’ made by local teens and members of the DV Committee. 

The event day will coincide with the arrival of Kirrily Dear in Parkes. All funds raised will go to Kirrily Dear, ultramarathon runner, who is running a marathon throughout regional NSW to make people aware of this shameful secret.  

“We are also selling ultramarathon shoelaces for Kirrily at $5.00 a pair, available at the Neighbourhood Centre and on the day in the park,” Christa Radley, Youth and Family Worker, Parkes Family Support Service said.

“In Australia, an average of one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner. 

“This is a shocking fact, and is only one tragic part of an even bigger story. 

“Violence is at the pointy end of a broad spectrum of violence against women. 

“A spectrum that encompasses financial, verbal, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse, as well as workplace harassment. They all form part of a devastating cycle of violence. 

“Violence against women is never a private issue,” Christa said. 

“We are holding this event to help break the silence around violence, to raise awareness of the issue as well as funds to support work to bring violence against women to an end.

“We want people to know that violence against women is unacceptable, it is never the victim’s fault, help is always available and if you see something you should definitely say something. 

“People need to know that they can make a difference; bringing an end to men’s violence against women will take a whole community approach.

“The women lost are not just statistics – they are wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, friend and colleagues.

“Most importantly, they are people, and the impact of the violence perpetrated against them is widespread and long-standing,” Christa said

White Ribbon Australia’s theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Australia, land of secrets’. This campaign calls on men, women, workplaces, young people and the whole community to uncover more secrets and help stop men’s violence against women. 

Visit www.uncoversecrets.com.au to read people’s stories. 

We would like to invite people to attend our event to show their support for White Ribbon Day, and purchase White Ribbon wristbands and ribbons from the White Ribbon Shop at www.whiteribbon.org.au/shop 

You can also make a tax deductible donation at www.whiteribbon.org.au/donate

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

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Travelling with Kirrily Dear on her marathon  is a film production crew who are capturing activities and events along the way and telling stories about all the good work being done.

Owen Burns of THIRTY3SOUTH Films is producing a documentary of the run, the communities it passes through and telling the stories of the people who have been affected by violence in their life. 

“The story will hopefully be used to shine a light on just how big the problem is in our community,” he said.