Walk against family violence

A record 15 community organisations joined together this year to support the annual Walk Against Family Violence (WAFV), which took place on Friday, November 25.

Now in its 14th year, the WAFV marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

The WAFV seeks to raise awareness of the impact of family violence across Australia, and honour those who have lost their lives.

More than 80 community members and leaders gathered at Caulfield Park to support the event, led by Jewish Care.

“This loss of life is immeasurable and unacceptable,” said Cassandra Barrett, manager of community education and participation at Jewish Care.

She added, “Many of us like to think that this doesn’t happen in our community. That it affects ‘other kinds’ of women; that it doesn’t happen in ‘a good Jewish home’ – but it does. It happens to our friends, our colleagues, our congregants, our families, and to us.

“We stand here together, united, to send a clear and unequivocal message that violence has no place in our community,” Barrett concluded.