WHITE balloons rose above Albury's skyline on Thursday as a sign that child abuse is simply not OK.
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Health and community agencies joined Albury Council, police, school students and members of the public for Fly A White Balloon activities in front of the LibraryMuseum and throughout Dean Street.
About 700 balloons were handed out to businesses, which displayed them as part of the awareness day, with other balloons released in a lunchtime ceremony.
Albury Mayor Kevin Mack said the event aimed to push the message that child safety was everyone’s responsibility.
“As a society we need to stand up and be counted and make people accountable," he said.
"Families need to take ownership of this because it's not the hidden crime anymore, it's out there.”
Cr Mack said the old beliefs and stigmas attached to these issues needed to change.
"If someone comes to you with a problem and it's to do with any level of abuse, you need to report it because you're the point of first response,” he said.
“If you do nothing, you're complicit."
“Unfortunately not enough people get involved.
“Bystanders are abundant, doers are nothing.
"If we stand by, we become part of the problem."
Albury Council youth development officer Mandy Wilson said Fly A White Balloon had been marked locally for six years, with more and more businesses taking part.
She said the day provided information about support services for those who might need immediate help.
Secondary school students helped deliver balloons to Albury businesses and then joined in the release.
Albury High School year 10 student Hannah O’Donnell, 15, believed awareness of child abuse was growing.
"We're slowly getting there, more people are speaking up about it,” she said.
Cr Mack said the present royal commission into child abuse had brought to light crimes from decades earlier.
"I think it's a salient reminder to everyone that you can't get away with it,” he said.
Exposing these crimes could also help those still struggling with the impact of past abuse.
“It sends a message to other people in a similar predicament that you can come forward, you can report it,” Cr Mack said.
