Rodney Stevens
A sea of purple will walk around the Yamba CBD next month calling for an end to Domestic Violence and promoting respectful relationships in communities in the inaugural Yamba Rotary Domestic Violence Awareness footpath walk.
Launched by the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond, District Governor, David Harmon said at the time the club wanted “to do something, show a strong united force and help people in situations of domestic violence.”
For the past five years hundreds of people have donned purple t-shirts and walked along Ballina’s River Street, supported by officers from the Richmond Police District, to peacefully demonstrate to the community that they say, “No to Domestic and Family Violence.”
Through Mr Harmon’s enthusiasm and the social spread of Rotary clubs in communities the campaign to Raise Awareness and Advocate Against Domestic and Family Violence has permeated Rotary clubs in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific Islands to become a powerful voice against the scourge on society that sees on average one woman a week and one man a month killed by a current or former partner.
Rotary Clubs around the South Pacific are uniting to take action on this Social Justice Cause as Domestic and Family Violence is disturbingly common, it is one of the drivers of homelessness among women, children and men and unfortunately Domestic and Family Violence crosses all boundaries of race, age, financial status, education, sex, and locality.
Yamba Rotary Domestic Violence Awareness Walk organiser, John McKenny said the club had been selling Rotary’s purple “No to Domestic and Family Violence” t-shirts this year and the Lower Clarence community is invited to join the inaugural Yamba Walk around the CBD on Friday, October 4, from 11am.
Mr McKenny acknowledged Mr Harmon’s advocacy about the Rotary Domestic and Family Violence Awareness program which gained the attention of ministers and the Prime Minister.
“Dave was talking to the Police Minister about the program and he said ‘I had no idea it was this bad, I’m embarrassed, but in the morning I’m going to send out a directive to every police station in NSW that they are to support Rotary in this great cause,’ so that’s how it kicked off,” he said.
Mr McKenny said the purple “No to Domestic and Family Violence” t-shirts were selling well, and more individuals, businesses and community groups were wearing them on Fridays to show their support of the cause.
“Today I received a photo of 12 staff members at Caroona Aged Care Home who have commenced wearing their purple t-shirt each Friday,” he said.
“It’s very pleasing to see that most people understand the true value and meaning of this great Rotary initiative.
“I would say 70 per-cent of the t-shirts we have sold have been to women.”
Mr McKenny said Yamba Rotary will be selling purple “No to Domestic and Family Violence” t-shirts at the walk site before the event – $10 Be early!
“It would be great to get a large group of people in purple t-shirts to join in the walk on Friday October 4 at 11am from the Bowlo Sports and Leisure carpark, along Coldstream Street to Yamba Street, then onto Wooli Street and back to the Bowlo to send a strong message that the people of the Lower Clarence care about stopping Domestic and Family Violence and promoting Respectful Relationships in our communities,” he said.
After the walk, Mr McKenny said free snacks and drinks will be available from the Yamba Rotary van.
For more information email yamba.rotary@gmail.com