As part of 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, everyone is invited to join the ‘Walk Against Violence’ in Penrith this Sunday.
The international movement, which runs from November 25 to December 10, aims to raise awareness about violence against women and girls.
Kyra Quinlivan is one of the domestic violence victims and prevention advocates who will be taking part in the one kilometre walk this weekend.
She told the Weekender that the Penrith community needs to be educated on the significant impacts of abuse.
“We need to shift the idea that women need to do more to protect themselves and start focusing on the root of the problem, which is men’s behaviour towards women,” Quinlivan said.
“We need to be teaching our boys and men how to have respectful relationships and providing them the tools to change their attitudes and behaviours.”
The walk will start at 9am on Sunday, November 26, at the ‘blue tree’ located on Nepean Avenue, and walk to Tench Reserve.
Afterwards, free coffee and a BBQ breakfast will be provided during a reflective event including live music and a yarn bombing workshop.
Quinlivan believes this movement creates an opportunity for people to come together and have meaningful conversations.
She is encouraging locals to come along on the day and wear a splash of orange, which is used to symbolise a brighter future without domestic violence.
“I literally just bought a tutu and I’m going to be the ‘truth fairy’ telling the truth about DV,” Quinlivan said.
“I’m putting a little costume together and I’m very excited.”
More importantly, Quinlivan is calling on the community to set an example by refusing to tolerate poor behaviour.
“We need our community to call on our politicians to step up and take action by making immediate legislative reforms to hold people who commit acts of abuse and violence to account,” she said.
“We need to change the attitude and culture of reactive measures to support people after the acts have occurred and shift the focus to preventative measures.”
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the 16 Days of Action campaign is an important opportunity to raise awareness and call for changes at a local level to end violence against women and children.
“The 16 Days of Action campaign encourages us all to speak up when we see or hear violence and disrespect towards women,” he said.
“47 women have been killed by a male partner or former partner in Australia so far in 2023 and three of those murders occurred in Penrith.
“We’re calling on the Penrith community to join us to champion and promote the human rights of women and children.”
To find out more information about the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence, visit penrith.city/16days.
Formerly with the ABC, Makayla is a graduate of Western Sydney University. She covers a variety of news topics for the Weekender, including courts.
