NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has joined hundreds of people in the annual walk against domestic violence last Friday.

The walk was part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, joined Commissioner Webb at the annual Step Out Speak Out walk, organised by Randwick Council and Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, today.

They were also joined by members of Rotary and Randwick Council, Mayor Dylan Parker, at High Cross Park in Randwick, walking to Grant Reserve in South Coogee.

The walk asks the community to come together, stand up and say no to domestic violence.

Commissioner Webb has also launched NSW Police’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign, which is held in partnership with Rotary South Pacific, to increase awareness, prompt advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations to end violence against women and girls.

The campaign is held from Monday 25 November 2024 – which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – until Tuesday 10 December 2024, which is Human Rights Day. The campaign was first launched in 1991 and has since become a United Nations-led movement.

This year NSW Police’s campaign is focused on raising awareness of the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said everyone had a role to play when it came to preventing violence against women.

"Police are on the frontline of domestic and family violence, responding at the point of crisis to protect victims and hold perpetrators to account,” Ms Catley said.

“One woman’s death from violence is too many and in the past few months alone there have been an alarming number of deaths as a result of male violence.

“The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence is an opportunity to highlight the work that is happening all year around to prevent violence before it occurs.”

Commissioner Webb said domestic violence and coercive control was not acceptable and would not be tolerated in the community.

“We know that pets are an important part of the family and in some domestic violence situations, they can be used to coerce victims to keep them in a relationship, lure them back home, or punish them for leaving,” Commissioner Webb said.

“In many cases, offenders will also target pets by threatening, harming or even killing them. Offenders can also neglect or prevent victims from providing food, water, shelter, grooming and veterinary care.”

Australian and international studies estimate pets are likely to be present in around 70 per cent of domestic and family violence cases.

Commissioner Webb has encouraged people to get involved in campaign events, which are held in partnership with police area commands and districts, Rotary and local councils throughout the state, including walks, vigils, barbeques and fundraising for support services.

“We hope people, groups and businesses participate in the campaign, by attending events, sharing messages on social media, promoting the campaign with posters in local businesses; sharing support organisations, and having conversations with loved ones,” Commissioner Webb said.

Information about the NSW Police Force response to domestic and family violence, can be found online: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/crime/domestic_and_family_violence.

Victims of domestic and family violence can find information about support services by contacting 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or online.

Reports of domestic and family-related crime or abuse can be made by contacting or attending your local police station. In an emergency, contact Triple Zero (000).

Anyone with information relating to domestic and family-related violence is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or online. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.