Cessnock Walks Kawuma will be held in its third different format in as many years, but with the same strong message: "Cessnock says no to domestic and family violence".
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An initiative of the Cessnock Domestic and Family Violence Network, Cessnock Walks Kawuma (an Indigenous word for 'together') was founded in 2019, when 600 people marched in a peaceful demonstration in the Cessnock CBD.
In 2020 the event went virtual due to COVID crowd restrictions, with more than 1100 participants submitting selfies and pledges for an online photo gallery.
With COVID once again preventing a mass gathering in 2021, this year's event will be a self-guided walk around the Cessnock CBD, with QR codes at 17 locations providing links information and supports for people impacted by domestic violence.
Cessnock Walks Kawuma chairperson Sonia Sharpe said the issue of domestic and family violence continues to plague communities within the Cessnock local government area.
"All community members deserve to live their lives free from violence. Violence perpetrated within the homes of our community remains unacceptable," Ms Sharpe said.
"COVID has not seen an end to domestic and family violence.
"In some instances, the violence and coercive control of partners and children has worsened.
"We need to do something about this as a community."
The walk will be open from November 25 to December 10, coinciding with the United Nations' 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Locations include:
- Cessnock Police Station
- Cessnock Court House
- 2CHR-FM
- Cessnock Family Support Service
- Cessnock City Council
- Joblink Plus
- headspace
- Samaritans Information and Neighbourhood Centre
- Compass Housing
- Cessnock Library
- 5 Ways to Wellbeing laneway
- Coalface laneway
- HJ Sternbeck Park
- Bridges Hill Park
- Koe-Nara
- CYCOS
- PCYC Cessnock
Anyone who checks in to all of the locations will go into the draw to win a prize.
A community information stall will be held outside of Samaritans Information and Neigbourhood Centre (124 Vincent Street) on Wednesday, December 1 from 10am to 3pm.
Find out more at the Cessnock Walks Kawuma Facebook page.
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- If you are in immediate danger, call 000
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
