And judging from the relationship breakdown between Maitland City Council and prominent anti-domestic violence service Carrie’s Place, respect appears to be in short supply.

What should have been a positive occasion in this city’s quest to end family violence turned sour on Thursday, as it was revealed that Maitland Council did not specifically invite members of the front-line service to attend the unveiling of a monument to victims of violence.

When contacted by Fairfax Media, council was quick to point out that it sent an invite to the city’s Domestic Violence Liaison Committee – of which Carrie’s Place, as an organisation, is part.

But Carrie’s Place CEO Jan McDonald (pictured) lashed out at council’s failure to recognise her organisation, which is arguably the most prominent and hardest working anti-domestic violence agency in the region.

It didn’t stop Carrie’s Place representatives from hearing about Thursday’s event and turning up to pay respect to victims, however Ms McDonald said the snub showed a deteriorating relationship between the service and the city.

Council may have felt it was appropriate to simply send an invite to the Domestic Violence Liaison Committee, but it was disrespectful not to directly contact an organisation that’s as close to the issue of domestic violence as Carrie’s Place.

It’s worrying that Ms McDonald, who leads a group of workers trying to help victims at the coal face, believes that council treats the issue of violence against women as “a hobby of Carrie’s Place”.

That this city’s civic leadership has been accused of such a reckless attitude towards this serious issue by a person of high standing – who has nothing to gain from making an enemy of council – is also a point worth considering.

Fairfax Media has written in this space recently that wiping out domestic violence will take a major cultural shift, starting at the base level of respect.

Clearly, when it comes to Carrie’s Place and Maitland council, some bridges need to be built.

Ultimately, the issue is bigger than these two organisations.

But we stand more chance of winning the battle against domestic violence if we work together.