Held in collaboration with the annual day that promotes awareness of the shocking rates of violence against women, the event encouraged families to get out and about together and engage with local police, the Dubbo Violence Prevention Collective and other community groups.

It was held just a day after students at Dubbo College South Campus pledged to stand up, speak out and act.

“Domestic violence is a very big issue in and around Dubbo, but statewide it is a problem,” said Senior Constable Jan Colbran, a domestic violence liaison officer within Orana Local Area Command

“The rates continue to climb and we encourage everyone to report to your local police and have any matters investigated.

“This White Ribbon day is getting bigger every year and we encourage people to come down so we can have the opportunity to interact when they’re having a good day as they don’t all get the opportunity to have that every day.”

The reporting of matters has risen dramatically in the past decade, with women feeling they have the opportunity to come forward.

Dubbo Police Station has seven staff dedicated to domestic violence, with four officers and three civilians forming a team that works across Orana Local Area Command.

Snr Con Colbran said statistics show not only the significance of the issue, but that more victims are talking. But she also encourages friends or family to come forward if they suspect people they know are victims.

“People are starting to report more, which is good as they are starting to feel they can speak out and will be heard,” she said.

“In Dubbo we’re very lucky we’ve got the Staying Home Leaving Violence program that works out of the police station, and it is really good because they can identify some of these women and support them until they get to the point where they feel more confident to speak to the police.

“We can give them certain advice. There was a recent campaign called ‘No Innocent Bystanders’ and we strongly encourage everyone to report and support the victims.

“There’s never just one victim in families, the kids suffer, and these days are really good to get the kids out, see the police, not be scared of our uniforms, and hopefully restore faith that we can help them.”