The Albury-Wodonga community joined Junction Support Services, Zonta, other support providers and Wodonga Police to walk against gender-based violence on November 30, part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
From The Cube Wodonga, walkers followed High Street, Wodonga, and ended at Richardson Park, Junction Square.
This event signifies a collective commitment to preventing family violence and violence against women, standing alongside victim-survivors in unity.
“It is important for victims of violence to know that they are not alone,” says Junction CEO Megan Hanley.
“Junction offers a range of supports and services to help strengthen safety and support recovery, and we are proud to be part of this campaign, standing with communities across Australia in solidarity with victim-survivors.”
The 16 Days of Activism is a global campaign to shed light on violence against women and its broader impact on society.
Family, domestic, and sexual violence constitute a significant health and welfare concern in Australia, disproportionately affecting women and children across all socioeconomic and demographic groups.
President of Zonta Albury Wodonga, Alwyn Friedersdorff, says Zonta’s vision is “no woman lives in fear of violence”.
“We are following with huge concern the deaths of Australian women from violence,” she says.
“As of last night [November 30, 2023], 68 women have been killed. This number is well over the average of one woman killed per week each year, and this shows deaths of women from violence is on the increase.”
Junction Support Services is at the forefront of providing practical assistance, support, referral, and advocacy to those affected by family violence.
Junction’s Families and Children’s Services supported more than 180 children, young people and adults in family violence recovery counselling in the past financial year.
“The walk is an opportunity to come together to stand in solidarity with victim-survivors and walk towards a future where every woman is safe, equal, and respected,” says Junction Support Services’ Families and Children’s Services manager Colleen Crispe.
The impact of violence includes physical injury, psychological trauma, and emotional suffering, with potential long-term consequences for individuals, families and communities.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25 marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which continues until Human Rights Day on December 10.
