River of Purple as Ballina comes out in force

ROBII HARMON

Ballina was a sea of purple of Friday as the community came together for Rotary’s annual walk to step up and step out against Domestic and Family Violence.

Schools, sporting groups, service organisations and community members alike joined together with Rotarians, NSW Police, NSW Fire and Rescue and local bus company Bus lines to deliver a frm message to create awareness and educate our community about the scourge on society that Domestic and Family Violence is.

Upwards of a thousand people walked from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre along River and Cherry Streets to the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre where the audience enjoyed dance and music performances by Ballina Coast High School students and listened to inspiring speakers.

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader applauded Rotary for their ongoing commitment to leading the way with this campaign.

Rotarian and Domestic and Family Violence project lead Dave Harmon outlined the progress made in the past six years highlighting the increase of reporting on Domestic and Family Violence incidents due to greater confdence in those experiencing it as they feel heard, believed and supported and the community in general being more aware and willing to help and support victims.

Retired Qld Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson, spoke of the need for all communities throughout Australia to follow Ballina’s lead in bringing Domestic and Family Violence out into the open.

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council member, Jacque Lachmund,

Violence is a crime and encouraged everyone who may experience or witness it to come forward to police and bravely shared her lived experience story and the training she provides to businesses in recognising and supporting employees who are experiencing violence.

NSW Police Inspector, Nigel Howard, reinforced the message that Domestic and Family