2019 Illawarra White Ribbon Day Walk
8 September 2025

SEE Something, SAY Something, DO Something

What does the White Ribbon Symbolise?

The White Ribbon itself is an awareness symbol of anti-violence against women.


What is the White Ribbon Campaign?

The White Ribbon Campaign is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and was formed by a group of pro-feminist men in London, Ontario in 1991 as a response to the École Polytechnique massacre of female students in 1989. The campaign was intended to raise awareness about male violence against women, with the ribbon symbolising “the idea of men giving up their arms”. White Ribbon is active in over 60 countries.


Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence

On a local level, the Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) focus is to support agencies, organisations, schools, education providers, and the community. The committee is an interagency of Government and Non-Government agencies/services across the Illawarra that works directly with people experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV).


Donations

ICADV receives no Government funding and depends solely on community donations and possible grants to be able to achieve their vision and goals.


As an example, the Illawarra DV support booklet and other resources provide valuable information for the community and services that do the vital and tireless work to keep women, men and children safe. ICADV recourses are available in our local refuges, Physiologists, Councillors, NSW Police Domestic Liaison Officers, Family Support Services, Women’s Support Services, Housing agencies and across the Illawarra. These booklets are handed to people who are experiencing DFV as a guide on understanding DFV, what to do and who to contact.


Donation money is also used to educate our front line services on the best methods of responding to DFV, this is done through educational forums and workshops.


Through the local campaign ICADV has also been able to engage with and involve local schools and organisations in the local community to take a stand and act against men’s violence. As such, our yearly events such as the walk and ride this year will continue as planned and continue to resource local services.


We thank you for your continued support that makes a big difference in our community.



White Ribbon Day is violence against women awareness day. This is a day when communities get together to make a stand to say no to violence against women. In 2018, 71 women killed in Australia by violence and as of 02/10/2019, 44 women have been killed by violence (Destroy the Joint FB). These statistics remain alarmingly high and it is everybody’s issue to help end the violence.


Our theme this year is SEE Something, SAY Something, DO Something. Our speakers on the day will talk about what YOU can do to prevent violence against women.

Say “No” to domestic violence and join us for the annual White Ribbon Day Walk. This is a public event and everyone is welcome.

  • Meet at NORTH Wollongong Surf Club at approx 6.50am
  • Walk start time is 7.00am
  • Walk from North Wollongong Surf Club to the Wollongong Head Light House and return
  • Walk time is approx. 40 min (return)
  • FREE BBQ breakfast (sponsored by DCJ) bacon and egg sandwiches and fruit, water will be available.
  • Information and merchandise stall on site
  • Guest Speakers – Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbury AM and Wollongong Police District Superintendent
  • Close approx.: 8.30am


FAQ

  • Why is White Ribbon day about raising awareness for stopping men’s violence against women, what about men?

    The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls. It was formed by a group of pro-feminist men in London, Ontario in November 1991 as a response to the École Polytechnique massacre of female students in 1989. ICADV believes that all forms of violence are unacceptable and acknowledges that men and women can be victims. We also acknowledge that the majority of domestic violence victims are women. (see below AIHW)

  • Can I walk a shorter distance?

    Yes, you can walk to where you like.

  • I want to go to the event but not walk, is that OK?

    Yes, you can listen to the speakers and enjoy the breakfast.

  • Can I bring my dog?

    Yes, most definitely.

  • Can I make a donation?

    Yes, we will have donation buckets on the day and we appreciate all the help we can get, ICADV is not funded and we rely entirely on community donations. Donations received go towards the printing of our DV Support Booklet, which informs the community of the local domestic and family violence support services available to them and educational recourses and forums for services that directly support people experiencing domestic and family violence.    

  • Will there be white ribbons available?

    Yes, please wear one to show your support

  • What happens if there is bad weather on the day?

    If the event is canceled due to extremely bad weather we will post this on the following facebook pages


    https://www.facebook.com/IllawarraCommitteeAgainstDomesticViolence


    https://www.facebook.com/whiteribbonwalk

About ICADV

ICADV performs an important function in raising community awareness, contributes and promotes the effectiveness of local services in responding to victims of Domestic and Family Violence.



The committee promotes a coordinated, effective response and encouraging interagency collaboration and cooperation.

Share this article

Recent Posts

by ICADV 8 September 2025
22 November, the community stepped out for the annual Illawarra White Ribbon Day Walk organised by the Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence. This year we focused on See Something, Say Something, Do Something with speeches by Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery and the Superintendent Wollongong Police District . The committee would like to thank the everyone that walked with us, including media coverage and supporting the events of White Ribbon, a symbol that is recognised on a global scale. Thank you to: Paul Scully D apto High School Warilla High School – Official City of Wollongong Zonta Club of Wollongong Quota International Leisure Coast Wollongong Ambulance Station WIN News Illawarra Illawarra Mercury PRIME7 Department of Communities and Justice for sponsoring the BBQ and Ron Simpson for the acknowledgement to country. Maris Depers White Ribbon Ambassador and M.C for the Walk Kenton Bell – White Ribbon Ambassador members of the public and pets! 
by ICADV 16 November 2023
ICADV welcome all motorbike riders to join us for a day out and say no to domestic violence. We begin the day with registrations at the Towradgi Beach Hotel where you will be able to purchase raffle tickets as well. Just before departing at 10.00am we’ll say the White Ribbon oath and leave for Greenwell Point Hotel where we have lunch and draw the lucky door prize and raffle. All money raised goes to the Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). Our donations go towards educating services that work with victims of domestic violence, and also to print our most valuable resource, the ICADV DV Booklet , which helps the community and most importantly victims of domestic violence linking them with services in the local area. 
by ICADV 16 November 2023
ICADV welcome all motorbike riders to join us for a day out and say no to domestic violence. We begin the day with registrations at the Towradgi Beach Hotel where you will be able to purchase raffle tickets as well. Just before departing at 10.00am we’ll say the White Ribbon oath and leave for Greenwell Point Hotel where we have lunch and draw the lucky door prize and raffle. All money raised goes to the Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). Our donations go towards educating services that work with victims of domestic violence, and also to print our most valuable resource, the ICADV DV Booklet , which helps the community and most importantly victims of domestic violence linking them with services in the local area. You can download our registration form White Ribbon Ride 2018 Registration and bring it with you on the day. 
by ICADV 15 November 2023
NSW Police DV Team have launched a new podcast called “Control” . Over three episodes it explores how violence and control are two different tactics used by perpetrators in a relationship and what it takes to break the cycle. Cassie was 29 when she met and married her partner after he moved to Australia. The couple welcomed a son in 2014. Throughout their three-year relationship, she endured controlling, jealous and violent behaviour at the hands of her husband. In 2016, Kylie married the ex-husband of Cassie. Together they also had a son. Like many women, Cassie and Kylie hid years of abuse perpetrated on them by their partner from family, friends and even police because they lived with both fear and shame. This podcast shares their very personal story, in particular, the way that violence and intimidation gradually evolved in their relationships. The podcast also highlights the red flags of a violent and controlling relationship and how together with police and support services, people can stop the cycle of domestic violence.
by ICADV 28 January 2020
ICADV 2018 Illawarra White Ribbon Day walk is held in Shellharbour, Reddall Reserve Lake Illawarra on the 23rd November 2018. The walk will commence at 7.00am, which will be followed by a sausage sizzle BBQ and motivational speakers. This year we focus on the children affected by domestic violence, the hidden victims. 1 in 4 children is exposed to domestic violence, children who experience domestic violence at home are raised in an unpredictable environment that is filled with fear, tension, and anxiety. The impact of domestic and family violence on children is immense and can often affect them for the rest of their lives. Children and young people don’t have to see the violence to be affected by it. Domestic Violence can lead to significant emotional and psychological trauma. Instead of growing up in a fun, supportive, relaxing environment that is emotionally and physically safe and secure, these children are forced to worry about the future. Studies show that living with domestic violence can cause physical and emotional harm to children and young people in the following ways: ongoing anxiety and depression emotional distress eating and sleeping disturbances physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches find it hard to manage stress low self-esteem self-harm be aggressive towards friends and schoolmates feel guilty or blame themselves for the violence have trouble forming positive relationships develop phobias and insomnia struggle with going to school and doing school work use bullying behaviour or become a target of bullying difficulty concentrating find it hard to solve problems have less empathy and caring for others  Young people exposed to domestic and family violence are more likely to: suffer from depression be homeless abuse drugs and alcohol engage in risk-taking behaviours experience or use violence and be controlling and manipulative in relationships
Show More