Domestic and family violence is a scourge on our community.

And it is as a community we need to stand up, speak out and put an end to it.

In our coverage of White Ribbon Day events in the Bega Valley, it’s reported 78 women have been murdered  this year alone by their partner or a male they knew very well.

In Tuesday’s paper, we revealed the Bega Valley Shire had 85 reported incidents of domestic violence related assaults in the 12 months to July 2015.

That’s seven a month!

And that’s only the reported ones.

Who among you will stand up and say enough is enough?

Who will turn to their friend or family member to say their abusive behaviour is not acceptable?

Quite often we hear of women and children unable to speak up for themselves for fear of further abuse.

Well, let’s speak for them and bring their abusers to justice; bring their plight to the attention of the community and authorities; help them find the support they need and deserve.

Meanwhile, it may seem a little gimmicky, but on Thursday next week, the men of Bega are encouraged to don high heels and walk along the main street from Kiss’s Lagoon to Littleton Gardens.

To “walk a mile in her shoes” and take a stand against violence, contact Sam Stevenson on 0467 749 713, or visit the Sapphire Coast Men’s Association Facebook page.

We’ll leave you with the following though-provoking message.

It was uncovered by a reader researching old papers, who found it in a copy of the Southern Record circa 1915.

It was tucked in among the personal notices and classifieds, so it’s source remains unclear. However, the message is as profound today as it was in the war years.

“Violence is ever the confession of weakness, gentleness is the unfailing sign of noble power.”