24 October 2023
By Hannah Wilcox
More than 500 people are expected to walk in this year’s annual fundraiser against domestic and family violence on Sunday, October 29.
Organised by community funded support group Mary’s House, the 10 kilometre walk will begin at St Leonard’s Park at 9.30am, before making its way to Balls Point Reserve and then returning at The Greens North Sydney.
Having held online events due to pandemic restrictions in 2020 and 2021, last year was the first in-person march with 100 people turning up to show their support.
Back and bigger than ever, organisers are now expecting a 400 percent increase in numbers with a goal to raise $250,000 to help women and children who are victims of abuse at the hands of someone they know.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be a beautiful, sunny Sydney day on Sunday so we’re very much looking forward to raising awareness about domestic and family violence and hopefully raising some much needed funds for the really important services that Mary’s House provides,” Mary’s House CEO Yvette Vignando said.
“The mood is always incredibly uplifting on these Walks but the message couldn’t be stronger: say ‘no’ to domestic and family violence.”
“DV is such a scourge in society but nothing changes unless we take a stand,” she explained.
“Perpetrators need to know it’s not acceptable, not now, not ever.”
A woman is murdered by their partner every nine days in Australia, while one in four say they’ve been physically abused by their husband or boyfriend since the age of 15.
Vignando said the refuge had accommodated more than 40 women since it opened in 2016.
“52% of them had families,” she added.
“This one absolutely breaks my heart: 16 child protection orders in the past 12 months for children who were at risk of witnessing their mothers being assaulted.”
“We are so stretched at Mary’s House, so any help is so very much appreciated.”
Mary’s House started up on the North Shore in 2016 and provides accommodation and professional wrap-around services for women and their children escaping domestic violence, as well as support in rebuilding their lives.