Walking 27km from Wollongong to Stanwell Park for Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment Prevention

This November, my dad and I will be undertaking a 27-kilometre walk from Wollongong to Stanwell Park to raise funds and awareness for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual harassment against women in Australia.

Domestic and family violence and sexual assault remain significant social issues in Australia, affecting the safety, wellbeing and lives of women across the country. The statistics are confronting: every week, a woman is killed by a current or former intimate male partner; one in two women will experience sexual assault during their lifetime; and one in four women will experience physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner from the age of 15. Furthermore, one in four women will experience emotional abuse by an intimate partner, while one in six will experience financial abuse.

Men account for the majority of perpetrators of domestic violence, and women make up almost nine in ten hospitalisations resulting from partner assault. Domestic and family violence is also a leading cause of homelessness among women and children, highlighting the far-reaching and often devastating consequences of abuse.

Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a life affected by violence. These figures represent more than numbers; they highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, prevention, support services and meaningful action to create a safer society for women.

By completing this 27-kilometre walk, we hope to contribute to this important cause, support those affected by violence and help foster a future where every woman can live free from fear, abuse and harassment.