The March Against Violence (MAV), an annual event by Desert Blue Connect will be held on Friday 22nd November 2019 to raise awareness of family violence and sexual assault, and promote healthy relationships. It is a peaceful community event that also pays respect to the West Australians who die each year as a result of family violence with a one minute silence.
In Western Australia since our last march, 11 people have lost their lives to family violence. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2019), one woman is killed every 9 days and one man is killed every 27 days by an intimate partner. This report also reveals that 1 in 6 women in Australia have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or previous co-habiting partner.
Desert Blue Connect CEO Russell Pratt said “Family violence is an issue reaching across every age and sector of society. We hope to see a really broad cross section of the local community standing together in support of those already impacted by family violence and working to prevent more families being impacted.”
This MAV will be held at Stow Gardens (near the Geraldton Multipurpose Centre) and commences at 9am with guest speakers. This year, six local men will guest speak, all responding with their viewpoint to the question “What can men do and what are men doing to end violence against women within our community?” Following the speakers, the general public are invited to March together down the foreshore and return via the Marine Terrace footpath. A sausage sizzle is available after and A Glassy Day Surf Coaching is conducting a reflection paddle out in the ocean (separate event).
The MAV is aligned with a Midwest Men’s Breakfast, organised by local men which will run earlier that day starting at 7:30am. The Men’s Breakfast will be held at Champion Bay Senior High School and features guest speaker Luke Ringin, WA Centre of Rural Health, research assistant.
For further information on the MAV please contact Desert Blue Connect, 25 Chapman Road, Geraldton, phone 08 9964 2742 or email info@desertblueconnect.org.au
If you feel unsafe or would like confidential advice please call:
- WA Police for immediate help 000
- Desert Blue Connect – Geraldton 9964 2472
- 1800 respect on 1800 737 732
Media contact: Daphne White, Executive Manager Operations, Desert Blue Connect, Geraldton
Mobile 0409642745
Phone 9964 2742
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