A large crowd of men and women took the pledge to stop domestic violence as part of Nowra's White Ribbon day activities on Wednesday.
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While the pledge led by Nowra Police Inspector Ray Stynes was to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women, Insp Stynes said taking the oath was about not condoning domestic violence at all.
“The oath targets any people in relationships - men, women and especially children,” he said.
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Statistics show Indigenous women, young women and pregnant women are particularly at risk of domestic violence and each week a woman dies at the hands of her partner.
“This oath relates to everyone in a domestic relationship,” Insp Stynes said.
“And by taking the oath we have publicly declared we don't condone violence and in particular domestic violence against anyone.”
Sentiments shared by Aunty Grace Crossley in her welcome to country.
The oath targets any people in relationships - men, women and especially children. By taking the oath we have publicly declared we don't condone violence and in particular domestic violence against anyone.
- Nowra Police Inspector Ray Stynes
“Domestic violence has been around for a very long time,” she said. “And is very high in numbers for Aboriginal people.
“I’m glad we are all now joining together to look at how we can battle domestic violence.
“Education is vital for us to start addressing these issues for our babies and our families...our whole community.
“Thank you to the police for being here, it’s great to break down barriers and joining together for all us as a community, including agencies, to help us to address the issues.
People say you need money to make changes. I don’t think you need that to make changes you just need the power and love from your heart to do that.
- Aunty Grace Crossley
“We want to look at how we can address domestic violence before it becomes serious business.
“We want to talk more so we can include health and education and social justice and bring those three agencies together - they are the agencies that can make change for people.
“People say you need money to make changes. I don’t think you need that to make changes you just need the power and love from your heart to do that.”
The Shoalhaven White Ribbon Day was held in Jellybean Park in the Nowra CBD. with Wellways, a mental health, disability and community support organisation working with people at the grassroots level hosting the event with the Police Aboriginal Consultative Committee (PACC).
A number of local services, business and community members joined together to highlight domestic violence.
