The Tipping Point event at Victoria Park Lake on Sunday would be “a simple event with a strong message”, organiser Mark Mills said.
He said it was an opportunity for the community to come together and support the push for changes to legislation.
The organisers, Mr Mills, his wife, Katie Mills, and Tammy and Ladell Sanders, are calling for “real accountability, stronger laws and safer communities” after hearing anger, frustration and concern from people who are “tired of seeing violence impact our children, families and community”.
They want to raise awareness of the laws, policies and systems they say many believe are failing to adequately protect victims, support communities and hold serious youth offenders accountable.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, who will speak at Sunday’s event, has thrown his support behind the cause, saying in a Facebook post this week that, as a father of three young children, he knows every parent wants their children to be safe.
“No child, regardless of their age, should be subjected to violence or feel unsafe when they go to school, play sport or participate in community life,” Cr Sali said.
“Community safety is everyone’s responsibility; parents, schools, organisations and local leaders all have a role to play in ensuring the safety and respect of our young people.”
State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe will also speak at the event, after raising issues in parliament concerning recent acts of youth violence, alongside the event’s organisers, while the crowd will be invited to take part in a symbolic walk from the north end of Victoria Park Lake to the Shepparton Art Museum and back again.
“To represent that everyone deserves to be able to walk safely,” Mr Mills said.
Organisers will have a petition available for attendees to sign at the event. The petition can be found here.
The Tipping Point event will begin at the north end of Victoria Park Lake, Wyndham St, Shepparton, at noon on Sunday, June 21.
Attendees are encouraged to wear red and/or black.
For more details, follow the event page on Facebook.
