United stance on violence
![Stephanie Greatorex and Robyn Brockman from the Aboriginal Family Law Services with South Hedland police officers Sophie Edwards and Lorna Dickens.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/YA-395882/170216nwtp6ochreribbonbl002_1bcd1ca-1bcd1cc.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Hedland campaigners stood united against domestic violence last week at a morning tea held to mark Ochre Ribbon Day.
Organised by Aboriginal Family Law Services, the campaign aims to reduce domestic violence in Aboriginal communities and its devastating impact on men, women and children.
AFLS regional co-ordinator Stephanie Greatorex said too many indigenous and non-indigenous lives were being lost or damaged by domestic violence.
"The message has to be out there, it has got to stop, it is not tolerated," she said.
"We encourage everyone to speak up about domestic violence.
"Seek assistance from the agencies that can lend support because being silent only assists the perpetrator."
This year's Ochre Ribbon Day comes after the campaign launched last year in reaction to the death of a rural WA woman, near Kalgoorlie-Boulder, who died at the hands of her violent partner.
Speaking at the campaign's Hedland launch last August, South Hedland police Senior Sergeant Dean Snashall told those gathered that rates of domestic violence were too high among both non-indigenous and indigenous communities.
He said his station's reports at that time showed 61 per cent of local domestic violence offenders and 73 per cent of victims were people of Aboriginal descent.
Ms Greatorex said her team hoped the Ochre Ribbon Day events would continue to grow every year.
She said AFLS worked to support domestic violence victims in the Pilbara by offering legal and community services in areas ranging from Onslow, Karratha and Roebourne to Hedland, Yandeyarra and Warralong.
In addition to providing legal advice on issues such as violence restraining orders and criminal compensation, Ms Greatorex said her office ran outreach education programs in communities and prisons.
She said her outreach team often attempted to make contact with victims of domestic violence before they sought help themselves.
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