Join us in our Walk Against Family Violence

Published on 20 November 2019

Sunraysia residents are encouraged to add their voice to ever growing calls to stop domestic violence in our region by joining this Friday’s Walk Against Family Violence.

This Friday’s event will start in the Langtree Mall at midday, kicking off with an opening address by internationally-recognised guest speaker Fadak Alfayadh.

Fadak is a dynamic Melbourne-based community lawyer, writer and advocate, who has spoken across the country and internationally on topics including gender equality, refugees and asylum seekers, migrants and immigration, diversity, identity and belonging, and feminist issues.

The 27-year-old arrived in Australia as a 10-year-old refugee after her family fled the 2003 Iraqi invasion and went on to establish a career as a community lawyer and passionate advocate, working to uphold human rights and ensure access to legal services for marginalised people.

Her work and advocacy has seen her appear extensively in the national media, featured on the ABC, Al Jazeera, VICE Au, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Catalogue Magazine, RightNow, The Citizen and SBS.

Fadak will lead this year’s walk through the mall, along Langtree Avenue’s eatery strip and down the riverfront connection before finishing at the Mildura riverfront with a community barbecue. The community event will include a raft of information displays featuring local service providers involved in supporting those affected by family violence.

General Manager Development Mandy Whelan has led Council’s push to raise awareness and address family violence for more than half a decade through programs to educate and support Council staff, which has a flow on effect on our community.

Ms Whelan said raising awareness about family violence in our region, and the contributing factors behind it, was a powerful way to initiate change.

“Our Walk Against Family Violence is a great way to raise awareness about this very important issue, and holding a community walk through our central business district is a very visual and effective way of doing this,” Ms Whelan said.

“It helps to remind our community that family violence unfortunately continues to occur in our region on a daily basis, and that there is a need to change residents’ thinking about gender equality and other key factors associated with preventing family violence.

“And thanks to the generous support of the many community and support organisations that take part in our walk, it’s also a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the support services available in our region.”

Media enquiries  Ben Piscioneri p) (03) 5018 8689  e) [email protected]