The first Step Out Against Violence Albury-Wodonga march attracted men, women, children and their dogs, who travelled along Swift, Kiewa and Dean Streets to QEII Square in an atmosphere several described as upbeat.

Live music, food, information stands and children’s activities then entertained the crowd, with ARIA-winning singer Sara Storer among the performers.

Storer said everybody needed a good start in life, but violence in the home worked against this.

“I’ve got four children of my own that I care deeply for and I couldn’t think of anything worse than anything interfering with a happy, healthy childhood for them,” she said.

“I just think any time that we can talk about it, remind people that it’s wrong, get people to end the cycle.

“Because that’s what is the hard thing, for people who have been abused themselves to make a choice and stop that horrible cycle.

“The more we talk about it, the more it helps.”

Albury deputy mayor Amanda Cohn said family and domestic violence was a crisis situation.

“So far in 2017, 44 women have been killed by a partner or ex, 44 women who should be with us today,” she said.

“Every single person in our community has the right to feel safe.

“We can all do more to call out controlling or aggressive behaviour where we see it, to do our bit to contribute to a cultural shift.”

Organisers said they were thrilled by the attendance at the march and community celebration.

Albury Community Health sexual assault service co-ordinator Kelley Latta said people who had experienced violence were starting to gain the confidence to speak out.

“I think for Albury we can now see that there’s definitely a passion behind it, for the amount of people and support that we got today,” she said.

“One woman said that she felt like she was going to burst, she had her family with her and support from people who live around her coming out to an event, she was completely overwhelmed.”

The Rotary Club of Albury sponsored Step Out Against Violence and all performers donated their time.