“Maitland police have extended a challenge to Maitland Rotary members to let the world know where we stand on domestic violence,” Maitland Rotary president George Williams said. 

“Tonight they will have their answer.”

The mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, will be among 75 guests at Lorn Park Bowls and Recreation Club.

Detective Acting Inspector Mitchell Dubojski will speak at the meeting alongside domestic violence specialist Senior Constable Di Love.

In Australia, an average of one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner and one in three women experience physical, mental or sexual violence in their lifetime.

“Rotary is an organisation that can really bring this cause to the fore,” Mr Williams said.

Club member Keith Pearson raised the issue recently, which prompted the meeting.

“Every time you pick up a paper these days there seems to be a domestic violence incident,” he said. 

“The community at large is aware that it is a problem, but we have to keep pressing the issue.”

Carrie’s Place – a women and children’s refuge – representatives including CEO Jan McDonald will also attend the meeting.

White Ribbon Day began in Australia in 2003 as part of UNIFEM (now UN Women).

White Ribbon Australia observes the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, annually on November 25. 

The day begins 16 days of activism to stop violence against women, which ends on Human Rights Day, December 10.