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IT has taken too long but the change has finally come.
Wednesday is the first White Ribbon Day since a domestic and family violence survivor was awarded the nation’s highest honour.
It seems since Rosie Batty became Australian of the Year there have been significant changes in how the problem is perceived, talked about and reported.
In Port Macquarie, front line workers said reports of domestic and family violence continue to rise since Mrs Batty became the public face of the problem.
The Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service has received 79 new referrals per month from police since July.
The service’s Sandra Sheridan said there has been a broad community focus on the problem this year.
“You only have to look at the reaction to the government withdrawing funding for crisis accommodation,” Mrs Sheridan said.
“It was exceptionally negative – it could only be described as causing an uproar because people don’t want to see the vulnerable left out in the cold.”
The Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Service’s Gemma Morley said she sees the change every day.
“Working in this sector, I always felt that what we were doing was behind closed doors,” the service’s chief executive officer said.
“It can be really disheartening when you think there is no investment from the community, and the care factor seems to be low.
“But now I feel really encouraged; people really seem to care.”
Ms Morley said she was “extremely saddened” Rosie Batty had to lose “her most precious, precious child” for the national conversation to get louder.
But she said it was encouraging the Hastings had started to wake up to reality.
“Sunday’s White Ribbon Coastal Walk was testament to that fact – we had more men take part than we’ve ever seen,” she said.
“It shows that men are realising they need to take responsibility.
“That makes me very proud of this community.”
Mrs Sheridan said this year there had been more cooperation between services.
“The media profile has certainly helped,” she said.
“Women are now tapping into support services much quicker than they ever did before.
“That means less women are falling through the gaps.”
