In the lead up to the Violence Prevention - It's Everybody's Business conference on October 7 to 9, the Bendigo Advertiser is profiling the conference ambassadors.
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MICK Talbot says he can see the affects of violence against women through his work.
Mr Talbot owns a personal training business, Step into Life Bendigo. He said it was a well known fact in the industry that when many women lost weight and built up their confidence, their partners no longer allowed them to attend sessions.
"Ladies will be reaching their peak fitness, they are perhaps becoming more confident in their body, then financial constraints are placed," he said.
Mr Talbot said this was an example of jealous and controlling behaviour, which heavily impinged on the women's lives.
"Everyone - male or female - is entitled to be the best they can," he said.
"Don't suppress people from being the best they can."
Statistics reveal people who have witnessed violence as a child are much more likely to be perpetrators or victims of violence later in life.
Mr Talbot said both perpetrators and victims often didn't realise violent behaviour was not acceptable.
He said generational violence needed to be addressed.
"(Victims) think that's a normal part of life," he said.
"The men don't necessarily think they're doing anything wrong because they saw their dad and granddad do it."
Mr Talbot said the only way to break the cycle was to talk about the issue and educate people about unacceptable behaviours.
He said he had had conversations with women affected by violence but he would encourage perpetrators to speak up as well.
"No one has ever said, 'I abuse my wife' but maybe they need to speak up, to admit their faults," he said.
Mr Talbot said he was thrilled to be an ambassador for October's conference.
"Some of the ladies are really happy there's a male speaking out," he said.
"Even if it helps just one person, I'm so pleased to help."
