A COMMUNITY barbecue and a chance to add your hand to Ararat's White Ribbon banner are just some of the free activities Ararat can take part in next Tuesday for White Ribbon Day - the United Nations International Day for the elimination of violence against women.
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Ararat White Ribbon Day walk is the first time Ararat has organised such a large event as part of this international campaign. It will take place at Alexandra Gardens at 5pm and include a walk around the lake and performances from local schools.
Ararat Police's Senior Sergeant Damien Ferrari has been one of the main organisers of the event and hopes to see as many community members as possible support the event.
"Along with many others, I will be participating in the walk to not only offer my support to victims, but to highlight the importance of us all making a stand to prevent the despicable act of violence against women," he said.
"I encourage others to come and participate. It's not just the walk, but it's the discussions that will take place and the understanding of the concept of White Ribbon Day highlighting why it is so important that we actively, as a community, take positive steps to stamp out these types of behaviours."
With one in three women in Australia experiencing violence since the age of 15 years and violence remaining the leading cause of death, disability or injury to women aged 15 - 44 years in Victoria, violence against women remains a serious community issue.
Ararat Rural City Council is excited to be part of the event and encourages community support for the White Ribbon walk.
"White Ribbon Day is such an important international event and it is great to see such a broad range of community members, from AME Systems to local primary schools, supporting the walk," people and culture manager, Brady Curran said.
"We hope to see as many local people as possible join us to walk against violence against women in our community and it is also a great chance for the community to use the new walking track at the lake."
Attendees at the event will also be asked to take the White Ribbon oath to 'never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women'. They will join people throughout Australia and the world who will also take the oath on the same day - White Ribbon Day.
Ararat's White Ribbon walk has been organised by Ararat Rural City Council, Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership, CAFS, Victoria Police and Women's Health Grampians.
