About 300 Bendigo residents marched through the city’s streets on Monday to condemn violence against women. 

The event followed International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls on Saturday, the same date Australian anti-violence organisation White Ribbon uses for its campaign.  

The White Ribbon movement calls on men to take an oath they will not commit or tolerate acts of violence against women.

But men were a minority in the Bendigo crowd on Monday. There were also more women than men on the managing committee. 

Organiser Sergeant Margaret Singe, from Bendigo police station, yesterday thanked those who attended the event but said she would like to see more men involved next time.

“It would be lovely to see more men attending,” Sergeant Singe said. 

Still, she believed the day was having an impact, with women coming forward after White Ribbon events to report their experiences of men’s violence.  

Allegations levelled at high-profile offenders, like television gardener Don Burke, also encouraged victims to seek help, she said.   

“So many cases in the public eye gives people the courage to come forward.” 

It is understood future anti-violence events in Bendigo could see less focus on the White Ribbon image and instead build closer ties with state government initiative Victorians Against Violence and its signature colour, orange. 

Until now, White Ribbon was used because of its strong brand recognition in the community, Sergeant Singe said. 

This year, orange and white balloons were carried along the march from Ulumbarra Theatre, down Pall Mall and to the library gardens. 

Like Sergeant Singe, committee member Abhishek Awasthi urged more men to contribute to the cause, but said he was heartened to see many young males participating in their first White Ribbon walk.

Several school groups were present yesterday to hear guest speaker Tarang Chawla recount his lived experience of violence; his sister, Niki, was murdered by her husband in 2015. 

It was an imbalance of power between men and women that created the conditions for his sister’s murder, Mr Chawla said. 

“We have a collective responsibility to challenge all that condone, excuse or perpetuate gender inequality,” he said. 

“We have so much to gain if we no longer excuse misogynistic attitudes towards women.”

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.

Anti-violence advocates who marched in Bendigo yesterday urged their community to “leave no one behind”. 

Centre for Non-Violence prevention and development manager Robyn Trainor held aloft a banner bearing the handprints of women incarcerated at Tarrangower prison.  

As many as 70 per cent of women behind bars were survivors of violence, Ms Trainor said.

Some Aboriginal women, who were 35 times more likely to experience violence, reported offending because of the safety that prison provided. These women were also less likely than other Australians to seek assistance, distrusting the justice system and fearing their children could be taken away. 

Ms Trainor said more was needed to address the inequalities that drove family violence, as well as providing for safe alternatives for women who leave.  

Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services chairman Abhishek Awasthi said violence was often accepted by community members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Even those who moved to Australia, where violence was not tolerated, could find it difficult to break traditional power structures, Mr Awasthi said. 

“They need to know everyone is equal, everyone deserves to be treated respectfully,” he said.