Join the march against domestic violence: walk starts in Castle Hill at 7am on Friday

Traffic will be stopped when the White Ribbon March Against Domestic Violence sets off down Castle St at 7am this Friday.

White Ribbon ambassador Nathan Hindmarsh and MC Marco Capobianco are promoting the White Ribbon march in Castle Hill and the White Ribbon schools breakfast Photo: Peter Kelly

• Why you should join the White Ribbon March
• Buy a White Ribbon at Castle Towers
• Hindmarsh talks to students
• Domestic violence: a survivor’s story

Traffic will be stopped when the White Ribbon March Against Domestic Violence sets off down Castle St, Castle Hill at 7am this Friday.

Last year, 1000 people marched down Castle St from Castle Towers to Castle Hill RSL to show their opposition to violence against women. This year it is hoped to double that number.

Everyone is invited to attend and join police, students, churches and community groups for the march from The Piazza at Castle Towers to Castle Hill RSL Club, starting at 7am. It is one of several White Ribbon events on Friday.

Supt Rob Critchlow, Commander of The Hills LAC urged people to get involved saying: “There have been 67 women killed by violence in Australia this year ... we need to remain steadfast in our rejection of violence and in support of the sufferers.”

White Ribbon supporter Nathan Hindmarsh said: “The message is simple: violence against women is never acceptable.”

The former Parramatta Eels player will be talking to high school students at the first White Ribbon breakfast aimed at teenagers at Castle Hill RSL after the march on Friday.

Police school liaison officer Rob Paterson will also speak at the event with MC Marco Capobianco from The Conviction group.

More than 150 students from 15 local schools are attending the breakfast.

Inspector Matt Harris, Robyn Waite (Hills Domestic Violence Prevention Network and David O'Neil, Group CEO Castle Hill RSL. Photo: Peter Kelly

Castle Hill RSL Group CEO David O’Neil said: “I believe that true change will be led by the youth of today for tomorrow.”

A major White Ribbon breakfast will be held in the Lyceum at Castle Hill RSL which will hear from a domestic violence victim about her story and also from Robyn Waite, board member of The Sanctuary — The Hills Women’s Refuge.

“Since The Sanctuary — The Hills Women’s Shelter opened its doors in April, offering crisis accommodation for women and children, it has been full,” said Ms Waite.

Hills Local Area Commander, Supt Rob Critchlow said: “Women are the overwhelming victims of this crime and men need to take responsibility for this.

“That is the whole rationale behind White Ribbon, in that domestic violence is a problem caused by men and men need to stand together to reject violence against women.”

THE FACTS

 Over 12 months, more than one woman is killed each week as a result of intimate partner violence. 

 Domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness for women and their children.

One in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by someone they know.

 Women are three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner

HELP

● For help call the DV Hotline [phone]

● The Sanctuary The Hills Women’s Shelter 9680 2653

● Lisa Hranum Foundation (Transitional housing) 1300 732 848 website lhforg.au

● Hills Community Aid (Moving on program) 9639 8620

MPs, businesses, school students, community groups and police marched together to say NO to Domestic Violence down Castle St last year.