Mosman walks for women
Mosman community members have come together to take a collective stance against family and domestic violence.
The Mosman Walk for Women brought about 150 people to Rawson Oval on Friday 29 November for a short walk and a gathering at Marie Bashir Mosman Sports Centre, which provided an opportunity to connect and reflect, with addresses by a range of speakers.
They included Elisabeth Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, Relationships Australia NSW, a leading provider of support services to build and maintain safe and respectful relationships.
She spoke about the organisation’s men’s behaviour change program.
“Evidence shows these programs have a significant impact on abuse and a significant impact on women and children’s freedom,” she said.
Yvette Vignando, Chief Executive Officer of Mary's House Services, a not-for-profit, community-funded domestic and family violence support service based in North Sydney, talked how community members could help.
“I really thank you for showing up today, for showing your care, compassion and interest for the women we support as well as the men who wish to change their behaviour,” she said.
Detective Superintendent and Commander Paul Devaney from North Shore Police Area Command attended with officers including Sergeant Larissa Ryan.
“Our job in the domestic violence unit is to protect people who don’t feel safe in relationships with an intimate partner or family,” Sergeant Ryan said.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their own home.”
It was the third annual Walk for Women organised by Mosman Council. The event is held on or close to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25 November), which marks the beginning each year of a global 16 Days of Activism campaign and culminates on Human Rights Day on 10 December.
Mosman Mayor Ann Marie Kimber said violence against women was an abhorrent issue worldwide and across Australia.
“No community is immune, including here in Mosman,” she said.
“In taking the Walk for Women, we are aiming to send a message that what is still happening in so many homes and communities is unacceptable.
“There is so much more work that governments and communities need to do towards prevention and to foster support for services, from those working on the frontline to others looking at behavioural change across generations.
“The event here in Mosman is about highlighting what is happening, what is needed and adding our community’s voice to the global collective to say, ‘enough is enough’.”