The White Ribbon executive for programs addressed the lunch on Wednesday, where she highlighted the campaign's work in the region, and the importance of changing societal attitudes towards women.

"This is a critical issue facing Australian society today. The campaign looks to engage men to work alongside women, taking responsibility for gender equality and really put a stop to violence," Ms Mullen said.

An average of one woman is killed every week in Australia at the hands of a current or former partner, while a 2009 study estimated violence against women and their children would cost the Australian economy in access of $15 billion a year by 2022.

"This is a economic issue, it's a societal issue and it's definitely not just a women's issue," Ms Mullen said.

"We do a lot of work in terms of prevention programs in schools, workplaces and the broader community. We have delivered and continue to deliver our Breaking the Silence program in schools which really supports principles and senior teachers to embed respectful relationships, really strengthening that cultural respect and anti-violence within the school."

"That filters back to the broader community as well so engaging families, local services and businesses."

Dubbo White Ribbon ambassador Kevin Saul said it was a "great boost" for local ambassadors to have a senior executive of the campaign come to town.

"There's nothing good about violence," Mr Saul said.

"There's physical abuse but there's also emotional, financial, psychological - the stuff that happens behind closed doors often doesn't leave a mark, not a physical mark. It leaves emotional and psychological scars, which are even harder to heal than physical scars."