Hundreds of Border residents marched through the streets of Albury on Saturday to take a stand against family violence during the third annual Step Out Against Violence walk.
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Event coordinator Danielle Thompson said the day gave survivors of domestic violence a voice.
She said having hundreds of people spend their Saturday morning marching against violence sent a powerful message to victims and perpetrators of violence that no form of abuse was acceptable to the community
"The day is really about bringing people together," she said.
"Personally I think it empowers you, it makes you feel proud to have survived for a start but also makes you feel like you're not isolated or alone.
"It is a really common problem. They're shocking statistics if it was any other form of death there would be public outcry.
"But there's still that stigma that it's personal or hidden, but it's not, and it's not okay."
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Ms Thompson said by the end of the day about 800 would have visited QEII Square, where booths and activities were held.
"It's a really important day, not only because it gives survivors a voice but it also allows for services to connect with the community and lets people know what's out there," she said.
Ms Thompson said the Albury event was hoping to combine with its Wodonga counterpart for a united march next year.
Albury deputy mayor and doctor Amanda Cohn shared anonymised stories of patients she had seen in the emergency room, to show how common and how stigmatised domestic violence still was in Albury.
Cr Cohn told the crowd that 49 women had died already in 2019 at the hands of an intimate partner.
"I think men are a really important part of the change, particularly in calling out the behaviour of other man," she said.
"We know that physical violence and emotional and financial abuse are just the tip of the iceberg - it starts with disrespectful relationships, sexist jokes, misogynist attitudes."
Albury MP Justin Clancy told the crowd it was important to be role models and examples to the next generation.
"We're here to speak to the children, particularly the boys and show violence towards partner is not strength, it's not courage, it's not love, and it's not right," he said.
- If you or someone you know needs to talk about domestic violence issues, you can call 1800 RESPECT
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
