A big contingent of RAAF personnel from the Tindal air base bolstered Katherine's anti-violence march through the town's main street today.
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More than 300 people took part in the fourth annual march organised by the Katherine Men’s Group from the BP service station to Ryan Park in hot conditions.
Regional corrections boss Garry Bennett, police Sgt Gary Cole and Wing Commander Andrew Tatnell from the Tindal RAAF base spoke about the issues of family violence.
The crowd was told violence against women was not always an Aboriginal problem but was seen right across the Katherine community where it was described as a “scourge”.
Speakers said alcohol was the greatest single problem and contributed to 95 per cent of the cases before the courts.
Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield today said systemic change was needed to curb domestic violence in the Northern Territory.
”Systemic change is needed to stop the path that so many find themselves on,” Minister Wakefield said.
“That path is well-known to those working in the sector – victims experience domestic violence, unjustifiably in contact with the criminal justice system, and possibly experience mental health issues and homelessness,” Minister Wakefield said.