A MARCH that fell on White Ribbon Day on Tuesday to prevent domestic violence was made more poignant by recent cuts to specialist women's services in Wagga.
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Staff and funding cuts forced the traditional reclaim the night march to be put in the hands of the Wagga Domestic Violence Liaison Committee, comprising Wagga Family Support Services, Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS), Centacare and the NSW Police, to hold what is hoped to be an inaugural White Ribbon Day march.
More than 50 people marched along Baylis Street yesterday morning carrying 52 roses to symbolise the women or children who die each year as a result of domestic violence in NSW.
"Women have been talking about domestic violence for years but fortunately it's been (increasingly discussed) because men are speaking about it," WDVCAS co-ordinator Helen West said.
"It's stopping men's violence against women."
"Domestic violence affects everyone. That's what it's about."
White Ribbon Day, now in its 11th year, aims to draw attention to men's violence against women.
"Domestic violence is spilling into more extreme forms so we wanted to do something special this year," Centacare chief Paul Jensen said.
"There's evidence of men (being abused) but overwhelmingly, there's even more women and children.
"The reality is men (need) to take responsibility of the violence."
Wagga director of Family Support Services Leigh Rowell said male involvement in the issue indicated it was a community issue.
"I think it's important because individuals recognise it's a community issue, not just an issue for women," she said. "There's been very alarming cuts to support services (for) women and children and I think it's fair to say government measures things rather than delivering critical services."
Wagga police domestic violence liaison officer Constable Madonna Reardon marched alongside fellow police and army personnel.
"It's showing we're standing united for the prevention of domestic violence," she said.
The march culminated in a barbecue supplied by Rotary Club at Victory Memorial Gardens before police staged a men's function at the RSL from 11am.
