We all have a part to play to end domestic violence.
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That was the message when hundreds of young people marched down Forbes' main street on Friday.
Brenda Hurst from Forbes Domestic and Family Violence committee said domestic violence statistics could be overwhelming.
On average, one woman loses her life in Australia each week. Forbes has the 13th-highest rate of domestic violence-related assault out of 120 NSW towns of more than 3000 people.
"This is unacceptable," Ms Hurst said.
These are people, not numbers.
"Data tells a particular type of story, one that may seem depersonalised at times, so it is important to recognise the individual stories of courage, hope and resilience that form the backdrop of these statistics."
Ms Hurst acknowledged the wide-ranging impacts of domestic and family violence, speaking of the longer-term impact on children's health and gender equality.
"All violence is wrong, regardless of the sex of the victim or perpetrator, but there are distinct gender patterns in the perpetration and impact of violence," she said.
"Recognising the gender patterns of violence doesn't negate the experience of male victims, but it does point to the need for an approach that looks honestly at what the research is telling us and addresses the gender dynamics of violence.
"Strategies taken in preventing violence against women and their children, but promoting gender equality and respectful, non-violent relationships benefits the whole community.
"Many complex factors contribute to intimate partner violence and we all have a part to play in addressing them.
"All sectors of society need to work together to create an environment in which women and their children are valued, respected and can live free from violence."
Event MC Kaidyn Haynes acknowledged the White Ribbon organisation that sparked events such as Friday's had folded, but said he and other ambassadors wished to continue raising awareness.
"It's all about being there to support one another when you know something is not right with one of your mates or their family," he said.
"It's just about having a conversation - once that starts, you don't know where that could lead."
Mayor Phyllis Miller said it was good to see students from both secondary schools as well as local primary schools in attendance.
"If we keep doing things like this, we make sure we keep domestic violence on the radar of all Australians," she said.
"It's so good to see so many young people here, you've got to have peers that you can talk to if someone is being violent towards you."
Mayor Miller acknowledged the work of the Forbes Domestic and Family Violence committee year-round.
"We are one of the highest incidences of domestic violence so to have people in our community working really hard to try and stop that violence is fantastic," she said
Our young men, all of you here today, you play an enormous part in sending a message to your fellow brothers not to commit domestic violence against women
We're proud to see so many Forbes residents here today to stand together against violence against women.
Kaidyn thanked Forbes Shire Council and Northparkes for their support of the day.
Richard Plowes from Northparkes encouraged each person in attendance "to be a positive role model within your communities".
"Our role as an organisation is to continue to educate and empower our employees in the role they play to end the cycle of domestic violence," he said.
"Special thanks to the Forbes Domestic and Family Violence Committee, you have been one of the most valued strategic partners since our accreditation and we look forward to a long partnership delivering programs to break the cycle of domestic and family violence in our community."