A community led approach to reducing family and domestic violence

23 Nov 2022
A community led approach to reducing family and domestic violence

Nine years ago, a group of Midland community organisations came together, untied by a desire to help reduce the levels of domestic violence they were witness to in the local community.

From its beginnings as small stall in the Midland Gate Shopping centre in 2013, to a full-scale march led by the WA Police Pipe Band, this annual event has grown into one of WA’s biggest domestic violence awareness events.

The ninth Midland March That Matters, held during the 16 Days in WA campaign, will see up to 500 people march around the Midland City Centre, sharing the message that there “is no excuse for abuse”.

The march is coordinated by the Swan Family and Domestic Violence Network Committee, a group of community organisations and business working together to address domestic violence at a local level.

Guest speakers and performers will include MLA Hon. Michelle Roberts, Matt Vapor from Beneath the Surface Motivation & Coaching, Margot Zorbias from MIDLAS and Ronnie, a lived experience speaker.


Event Details  

When: Thursday 8 December, 2022

Time: 11.30am – 1.30pm 

Where: Juniper Gardens (behind Midland Dome Cafe). Enter from The Crescent or Cale Street 

What: March led by the WA Police Pipe band, followed by guest speakers, entertainment, information stalls and a free sausage sizzle.  


Relationships Australia WA Midland Manager and Chairperson for the Swan Family and Domestic Violence Network Committee, Kristy Darnborough said the march brings the issue of domestic violence out of the dark and unites the community to tackle the issue.

“Domestic violence prevention is not the sole responsibility of the government, police, or social services - it is up to all of us as a community to stand up and speak out,” she said.

“We need to continually work on preventing violence before it starts, by focusing on driving social and cultural change across our communities.”

“‘We need to intervene early to stop abuse from reoccurring and escalating.”

Domestic violence can take on many forms and is defined as a pattern of behaviour in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It includes:

  • emotional abuse
  • financial abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • isolation
  • stalking

The Swan Family and Domestic Violence Network Committee comprises representatives from Relationships Australia WA, Midland Women’s Health Care Place, Centrecare, Koolkuna, City of Swan, Indigo Junction, WA Police, Rise Network, Department of Communities, MIDLAS, Crosslinks, Fortem Australia, Rotary Club of Midland, Vinnies, headspace Midland, St John of God Midland Hospital, and community members.


About 16 Days in WA

For 16 days in November and December, the community is invited to take a part in encouraging change to stop violence against women.

The annual 16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women campaign takes place from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Now in its sixth year, 16 Days in WA draws inspiration from the global movement for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence to drive a change in culture, behaviour and attitudes that lead to violence against women and their children.

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