Their message - staying silent is not good enough. 

Community leaders and representatives joined at Daylesford Town Hall for White Ribbon Day to spread the message and support the countless victims. 

One woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence - and often, it happens in the places we should feel safest. 

Survivor Emma Westerbeek said it was the sense of normality and worthlessness that made it so hard to break the cycle.

"There are really great support systems in the region but the reality is that the issue is ongoing until you talk to a friend and do something about it," she said. 

"There's a definite sense of worthlessness for many women experiencing it, and you tend to attract the same problems because of that. 

"It becomes your normal, but that's why it's important to come forward and talk about it and realise it's not normal."

Daylesford psychologist Namita Trensley sees the aftermath of violence first hand, and says it remained a huge issue for the shire. 

"People don't often tend to speak up because they are frightened and often blame themselves for not putting the dinner on the table at the right time or doing something wrong," Ms Trensley said. 

"They feel they deserve it, but they must realise they are innocent victims and deserve help." 

She called on men young and old to become ambassadors and really work towards a solution. 

"A VicHealth study has shown young men see violence as more acceptable, and there is an onus on the woman's role," Ms Trensley said. 

"That's why we need men especially coming forward and saying it is wrong - we already know it will go a long way towards helping the issue."