By Rowan Forster
Rain, hail or shine; family violence doesn’t discriminate.
That was the message sent loud and clear as community leaders, activists, emergency services and residents marched through the heart of Pakenham to support Together We Can on White Ribbon Day.
More than 500 participants brought the suburb to a halt amid a chorus of chants, sending the message that abuse will not be tolerated in Cardinia Shire.
Fiona Cost, who has led the award-winning campaign, kicked off the event by motivating the crowd during the drizzly downpour.
“Family violence and violence against women doesn’t discriminate against weather,” she said.
The Walk Against Violence, hosted by the Cardinia Family Violence Network, commenced at the Pakenham Library and weaved throughout Pakenham’s CBD.
Among those participating was single mother Harriet, who revealed to the Gazette that her life was derailed by family violence.
She said at one stage, she was convinced it was her own fault.
“I felt trapped and I felt like I was causing this to happen and I lost all of my self-esteem and felt worthless,” she said.
“It wasn’t when I sought help and went to the police that I realised I was in a horrifically abusive relationship, and even for my daughter’s sake, I had to get out.”
Harriet decided to walk against family violence, in hope it could empower others to speak up.
“Not even those that are trapped in this vicious cycle, but the people who know that it is happening,” she said.
“Nobody should keep this a secret.”
This year’s White Ribbon Day focused on asking bystanders to challenge community attitudes and beliefs about not intervening when they see domestic violence.
After the walk, MP Brian Paynter and Cardinia Shire Mayor Graeme Moore delivered impassioned speeches to the community.
Mr Paynter referenced the despicable actions of notorious football ‘stars’ Shannon Grant and Nick Stevens, who were both convicted of perpetrating violence against women.
“Picture a group of young tradies, sitting around smoko on a Friday reading the newspaper – they might be reading about Shannon Grant,” Mr Paynter said.
“His punishment was reduced from six months jail to a two-year community corrections order.
“It’s an absolute disgrace, the way we deal with these cases in court.”
Cr Moore outlined a recent example he experienced of how attitudes can make a difference.
“I was at a fundraiser and a comedian was getting raunchy, using terminologies to the point where I looked at the ladies I was sitting with and they didn’t know where to look,” he recalled.
“I felt guilty and I felt sick.
“I spoke to one of the ladies at our table and I said I was embarrassed, I nearly got up and I walked.
“She said, next time you want to do that I’ll stand with you and walk with you.
“This is how we stand up and stop these things from happening – because it starts with these comments.”
It comes several years after former Cardinia Shire CEO Garry McQuillan identified family violence as the number one issue in the growing municipality.
Despite Mr McQuillan leaving the role for retirement, the campaign lives on.
He led the charge towards a Collective Impact model and, with the help of Family Life, the Together We Can campaign was born.
Since then, many in the Shire of Cardinia have brought into the program and real change is occurring.
