This week in a global first for Rotary, the world tuned in to Ballina to understand the work that Dave and Robyn Harman have been doing to tackle the issue of domestic violence (DV).

The world is interested in the campaign started in Ballina, and the meaningful dialogue and partnerships with key stakeholders built locally, state and nation wide.

“The model that we’ve stumbled our way through and established, has shown to be so successful with partnerships & collaboration,” said Dave.

Locally, momentum began when Dave and his advocacy gave the Richmond District police a new outlook on the problem of domestic violence and how to tackle the endemic issue.  

Ex Richmond Police Superintendent Scott Tanner was impressed with the DV figures in Ballina which has shown more than triple the amount of re-reporting domestic violence cases.

“Those figures indicate a greater sense of awareness and support in the community,” said Robyn, “they are a much larger figure than anywhere else has been able to generate.”

Dave adds, “When we walk down the street in the Domestic Violence awareness walk, and you see these purple shirts around, you see women on the side clapping and in tears, you feel it – we have tapped into something.”

Dave started the campaign when he became the president of Rotary in 2018.  After attending a funeral for a lady in Kyogle who was killed by her partner in front of her three children, he had a talk to Robyn about what they could do.  

Robyn and Dave started by talking to the community to understand the depth of the issue, and asking how they could best help.  The Domestic Violence Walk was initiated and it has been a stronghold ever since along with a string of incredible ways to support victims of domestic violence. It has been very successful.

Dave became the District Governor in 2022-23 for this Rotary district and presented his progress to Rotarians in 16 countries.

“We adopted domestic violence as a common cause throughout our zone. That hadn’t been done for 40 years (since the push to support Polio in the 80’s),” said Dave.

The campaign was launched at Parliament House in Canberra, and garnered the attention of many politicians, gathering further opportunities to raise awareness.

“Justine Elliott, the Assistant Minister for Domestic and Family Violence. She’s been working with us,” said Dave. With additional political support from Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, MP Tamara Smith, Mandy Nolan and ex Mayor, David Wright – Dave had powerful allies working with him.

“Another first is the formal partnership that Rotary of New South Wales has formed with New South Wales Police,” said Dave.  After his work in Ballina, he was invited to speak in Canberra – Dave presented to Mal Lanyon, then Deputy Commissioner.

The worlds focus on Ballina isn’t just around the success of one campaign.  Dave is adamant, “It doesn’t matter if it’s mental health, homelessness, because our passion is social justice. 

“What we have created is a new way for Rotarians to engage and communicate that are getting results.”

Dave spoke with Great Britain and Ireland this week who are looking to make structural changes in their organisation.

“We looked at the DV campaign, what we’re doing and just how that engages community by Rotary Club members collaborating and connecting.

“The difference we are making starts in our community. Ballina on Richmond has grown from 33 members, to 88. We’re now bigger than a lot of city clubs.”

The road was not easy, Dave has had to work hard for many people to understand the issues and make the necessary changes.  But once that was done, people see the need more clearly, and paths have opened up.  

Early 2023, after the death of Lindy Lucena “just one street back from our main street in Ballina”, marking Australia’s first domestic and family violence related death for 2023. Lindy’s partner was charged with her murder and breaching an apprehended violence order. 

Tere Sheehan of Cherry Street Sports Club, asked Dave, “What can we do?” 

That summer, staff at Cherry St had adopted Rotary’s Purple Shirts as their uniform.  The suggestion was put forward to have a day of awareness a week for the wider community and Purple Friday began. People were encouraged to wear their Purple DV shirts at work.

“We purchased 1000 purple shirts, and put it out on social media – Who wants to be part of Purple Friday? In two weeks, we had 80 businesses. Today, we have over 100.  That was over 2 years ago.

“I saw the potential of this campaign, and then witnessed the difference it was making. Conversations were starting because of it.” A hairdresser who told Dave about one of the patrons who said, “I’ve never said it told anyone, but I’m going through domestic violence.”

Next week, Dave and Robyn are presenting to the editors of Rotary magazines from around the world that are on the Gold Coast for a conference. This is before heading to Mackay to launch a DV campaign with schools, mining companies and community organisations in attendance. The campaign that started in Ballina is now being implemented in towns and cities all around Australia and the South Pacific. 

Then Dave will be speaking with the new Richmond Police Supt, Dave Roptell and the domestic violence squad to reinforce ties here. 

Dave and Robyn actively work to support Purple Fridays here in Ballina and further afield.  

“These shirts are in New Guinea, they’re in Samoa, they’re in Fiji, they’re in Kiribati, they’re in Cambodia as well as Scotland.”

The next major event in Ballina is the DV walk on Friday, 28th November.  “Keeping our shirts being worn in the community validates those looking for help, feel supported.

“When you can bring about a change in people’s mindset about what’s going on with domestic violence, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Rotary leaves the direct support of victims to the professionals, and offers a toolkit for those who need one, here.