THE first White Ribbon Forum has been organised to generate awareness and support in the campaign against domestic violence in Dubbo and surrounding towns.
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A wide range of service providers will attend the forum which will be held at Dubbo RSL Memorial Club on November 27, which will also have esteemed journalist Mike Munro and Kirrily Dear as guest speakers.
Last year Ms Dear completed a 12-day, 860-kilometre, multi-stage ultra marathon through regional NSW to raise awareness for the White Ribbon foundation, and a 30-minute documentary of her journey will be premiered at the White Ribbon Forum.
While the Domestic Violence Prevention Collective was established more than 15 years ago, this is the first time a forum has been specifically organised for White Ribbon, a national campaign to prevent men's violence against women.
The statistics around domestic violence in and around Dubbo tell a damning story.
According to data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), Dubbo is the 12th-worst place in NSW for domestic violence.
That everyone has a role to play in the fight against the abhorrent crime is the message NSW Police western region domestic violence co-ordinator Bec Camilleri wants to get across in the lead-up to and at the Dubbo White Ribbon Forum.
"We can all play a role and that comes in so many different ways," she said.
"Look at what Kirrily did last year.
"She was appalled by the stats around domestic violence so she used a marathon to raise awareness about it."
Ms Camilleri joined the growing calls for change in attitudes towards domestic violence, and hopes events like the White Ribbon Forum can help in the prevention of the despicable crime.
"The stats speak for themselves, they are simply horrendous," she said.
"It shouldn't be happening in our community, or anywhere in Australia for that matter.
"It is disappointing seeing the stats the way they are now."
The White Ribbon Forum is open for anyone to attend, but you need to register which can be done by contacted Ms Camilleri on 6883 1743.
The forum starts from 9.30am and runs to 3pm and will be followed by the White Ribbon gala ball which starts at 6pm.