White Ribbons were tied to the railing outside the Wagga Women’s Health Centre in memory of those women killed by current or former partners in Australia.

Anglicare NSW South/West and ACT general manager Brad Addison led the ceremony and charged men across the region to step up and make a difference. 

“The number of ribbons tied today are a stark reminder of the size of the problem we face but we do face it together as a community,” he said.

“We’re here to make positive change.”

Mr Addison is an outspoken advocate of domestic safety and believes the emphasis must remain on tackling men’s violence towards women.

“What we do here doesn’t take away from their need to be heard and supported,” he said.

“But what White Ribbon stand for acknowledges the overwhelming majority of acts of domestic violence and sexual assault are perpetrated by men towards women.”

Wagga Women’s Health Centre’s Leah Anderson said the day was primarily about awareness.

“It’s about knowing that domestic violence is in our community and the way we can acknowledge that is speaking out,” she said.

“We want to encourage people to talk about it and stand up and say, “hey, that’s not okay”.”

Mr Addison said that while even a single death would be one too many, the count is improving from last year.

“It is my wish that we will have even fewer names to read out next year,” he said.