Central Coast Council is supporting a 16 day global campaign to help raise awareness on domestic violence and stop violence against women.

White Ribbon Day encourages the community to stand up and speak out against violence and the impact it has on the community.

Council Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan, said Council is supporting the Central Coast Domestic Violence Committee who is leading the region in speaking out against this issue.

“Violence against women is a significant issue on the Central Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.

“It is a myth that domestic violence only occurs in marginalised communities; it impacts people from all cultures and religions, with all levels of income and education, and from all suburbs.

“Violence against women is preventable and through support, accountability and leadership we can create a culture of respect here on the Coast.”

Violence against women is a national epidemic; one in three women have experienced domestic violence. The Central Coast experiences twice as much violence as other areas in NSW and this is increasing year by year.

Mayor Jane Smith said it is important for the community to come together to highlight the impact domestic violence has on the community and work together to end it.

“We need powerful statements and actions if we are going to change the Coast’s statistics and make our communities safe for women to lead the lives they and their children deserve,” Mayor Jane Smith said.

“This is not a ‘women’s issue’. It is a pressing issue for all of us. That is why White Ribbon Day is so important – it is about all of au, both men and women, standing up and saying violence against women is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

“We want to see more leaders in our community join us to also stand up and show their support for the lives of our daughters, sisters, mothers, wives, colleagues and friends.

“I am pleased that leaders from our Council will be there at the walks this week at The Entrance and Terrigal and I encourage the rest of the community to join us.”

Wrist bands and white ribbons are available from any of Council’s customer contact centres over the 16 days of the campaign.

White Ribbon Day community walks will be held on Friday 24 November at The Entrance from 10am-1pm (starting at The Entrance Police Station) and on Sunday 26 November at Terrigal from 10am-1pm (starting at Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club).

The White Ribbon campaign begins on Saturday 25 November and ends -on Human Rights Day, Sunday 10 December.

For more information on the campaign visit www.whiteribbon.org.au