PORT Macquarie has been chosen to host one of 10 forums across Australia on violence against women.
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White Ribbon Australia will bring the summit to The Glasshouse on May 27.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s community and economic growth director, Tricia Bulic, said the forum was recognition of the “fantastic work that has been done in our community to raise awareness”.
She pointed to the burgeoning success of White Ribbon Day’s annual Coastal Walk, its local ambassadors and business support for anti-violence initiatives.
A White Ribbon Australia spokesman said delegates at the forum will discuss action strategies and hear from international speakers, including West Virginia University’s Professor Walter DeKeseredy.
The sociologist is the director of the Research Center on Violence and has written 19 books on violence against women.
Mayor Peter Besseling, who became a White Ribbon Ambassador in 2008, said he was really looking forward to the day.
“It’s going to be not so much awareness raising, but more of a discussion for practitioners,” he said.
Mrs Bulic said the forum confirmed the town’s ability to snare big events “which not only benefit our social and cultural growth, but help drive our local economy”.