270 shoes to be strung from Gunnedah park fence for domestic violence awareness

A banner titled “In Their Shoes” with the hashtag #gunnedahsaysnotoviolence will be draped across the park boundary next month.

The awareness campaign, run in association with the Gunnedah Domestic and Family Violence Action Group, will form part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence movement.

It coincided with National white Ribbon Day on November 25 which calls for men to speak out and never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.

In report to council, the action group said the public installation will highlight the increasing problem of domestic violence.

“During this 16 day period, Gunnedah will stage a powerful reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence in our community by tying 270 pairs of predominately women and children’s shoes to the fence at Kitchener Park. A symbolic reference to the number of domestic and family violence incidents occurring on average each year in our community,” the report stated.

The group was working closely with the community to develop an action plan for the next 12 months to improve responses and ongoing support to victims of domestic and family violence, streamline referral pathways and enhance access to crisis accommodation. 

Recent group initiatives include Gunnedah’s White Ribbon Guinness World Record Attempt for the World’s Largest Umbrella Mosaic, an event that featured 1100 residents stand as one against domestic violence. It also implemented initiatives such as the Say No to Violence coaster campaign and the 2015 Candlelight Vigil in the Park.  

The group works with multiple community agencies to lobby for shire resourcing to tackle domestic violence such as the current mapping service and program delivery in Gunnedah associated with victims of domestic and family violence, and broader health and wellbeing programs that help with resilience, self-worth, connection and socialisation.