Caroline Springs and Melton folk will come together this weekend in a bid to promote gender equality and help end violence against women.
The Walk With Her event, initiated by newly formed group Melton Women Making it Happen, is aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence and challenging attitudes that support it.
Representatives of Djerriwarrh Health Services, Melton council, Victoria Police and Caroline Springs Square will join community members, young and old, in taking a stand against violence.
Djerriwarrh Health Services chief executive Andrew Freeman said violence against women could be prevented, but it was everyone’s responsibility to change attitudes, and cultures, associated with violence.
“We believe violence against women is a serious, prevalent and preventable epidemic that won’t be stopped by one person, one organisation or one action alone,” Mr Freeman said. “It needs a concerted, long-term sustained effort.”
Mr Freeman said men had an important role to play in challenging the attitudes and behaviours that condone violence.
The walk at Lake Caroline, Caroline Springs, will start at 9am on Saturday, March 19.
