Author Jenny Yates and psychotherapist Hugh Martin will appear at the Ulumbarra Theatre before taking part in the walk through the streets of Bendigo saying no to family violence.

Ms Yates, whose memoir, The Vine Bleeds, described how her mother was physically and emotionally assaulted by her father, said it took her decades to overcome the trauma of growing up in an abusive home. 

“For many years, I didn't realise that my family life wasn't normal,” she said.

“I just thought that was the way the world worked.” 

But child victims of family violence were inextricably changed by their experiences, Ms Yates said, although each person’s reaction was different. 

“Some people feel like they can’t deal with life very well, they’re angry,” Ms Yates said. 

”Others become perpetrators and just keep doing this kind of stuff.” 

Ms Yates’ brother became a perpetrator of family violence while she married a man who was emotionally violent towards her. 

She believed educating young people, especially males, was critical to stamping out domestic violence.

If school programs existed when she was a student, Ms Yates believed she might not have suffered so seriously.

“I want them (girls) to see there is a way out of it, around it, that they can survive.

“And men need to understand the trauma they’re creating, especially if they’ve come from a home of domestic violence.”  

Mr Martin, who runs men’s education service Man Enough, will also speak at the outset of Friday’s anti-violence event.

His organisation works with men to foster positive relationships, teach gender equality and decrease dependence on pornography.   

If you or someone you know is a victim of family violence or sexual assault, phone 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, dial 000.