Community groups created banners as part of Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas’ Daylesford and Hepburn say no to family violence campaign, which has run throughout the year. 

An event hosted by the Bendigo Bank in Trentham last Wednesday invited Trentham Police Sergeant Nathan Gardiner, CAFS Ballarat’s Toni Gillett and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, to speak out against family violence.

Ms Thomas said the campaign and events such as these were powerful.

“It sends a strong message to women in country towns that they are not alone, people are out there and understand, and we want to be able to support you. It gives victims of family violence confidence to speak up,” Ms Thomas said.

Hepburn Shire Council White Ribbon ambassadors ran a sausage sizzle at Daylesford and Creswick on Friday in an effort to encourage community members to take an oath to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women. 

Ambassador Jeff Stewart said it was “time males opened up and showed support and respect”.

“Instead of making dirty jokes, we should say ‘no, that is not acceptable’,” fellow White Ribbon ambassador Danny Moynighan said. 

Over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner in Australia, according to White Ribbon Australia. 

New Victorian laws are coming into force to better protect victims of family violence.

The Domestic Violence Order Scheme was created to ensure domestic violence orders made in any state or territory could be automatically recognised and enforced Australia-wide.

Police will also have expanded powers to enter and search a property without a warrant if they form a reasonable belief that a person is in breach of a domestic violence order made in another state or territory.

For more information visit familyviolence.courts.vic.gov.au