Members of the community were invited to take a stand against domestic violence on Thursday, February 18 during Ochre Ribbon Day.
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The event in Forbes was hosted by Yoorana Gunya and Binaal Billa at Lions Park.
The aim of the Ochre Ribbon Day campaign is to raise awareness of family violence and its devastating impacts in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities.
The Ochre Ribbon symbolises their vision of eliminating family violence in their communities and sending a strong message that violence will not be tolerated.
The day is also supported in Ochre Ribbon Week which usually runs from February 12 to February 19. Ochre Ribbon Week is an Indigenous-led campaign which raises awareness of the impacts of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
According to Ochre Ribbon statistics:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised from family violence than non-Indigenous Australians.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 3.4 times more likely to experience sexual assault.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 11 times more likely to die due to assault.
Family violence is a problem in every race, religion, age, gender and community. In an emergency, phone 000.
Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service and Yoorana Gunya are among a number of community organisations that can support victims of family violence.
Tara-Jane Torrisi from Binaal Billa said they aim to raise awareness of domestic violence against Indigenous people and try to bridge the gap for people living in remote and rural regions to access legal assistance.
Binaal Billa is in Spring Street and can be contacted on 1800 700 218. Yoorana Gunya Family Healing Centre is in Church Street and can be contacted on 6850 1222.