Awareness events to end family violence are not making a difference, according to advocate for change Caroline, who spoke at the Devonport Walk the Talk event. Speaking on Sunday, November 26, Caroline, who asked to be referred to by her first name only, is a lived experience advocate. She called on attendees to do more to protect women. The event, which is a collaborative effort between the Zonta Club of Devonport, Soroptimist International Devonport and Devonport Inner Wheel, is in its tenth year. "I would like to be able to say that events such as this are making a difference," Caroline said. "It saddens me to say that the statistics are saying otherwise." Caroline said in every speech she has given as a lived experience advocate, she always reflects on the 52 women per year - one woman per week - who die at the hands of a current or former partner in Australia. "If that's not abhorrent enough, it saddens, angers, outrages me to say that it's only November and this year we have well surpassed that average number. "The number stands at 66 women." Caroline's call to action was powerful and simple; men need to be involved in the conversation. "Most women who were murdered were killed by men. In fact, most men who are killed are also killed by men," she said. "Six women died in the past week - this is a crisis." She said more men needed to come to awareness events and called on event organisers to collaborate with male-led community groups in the future. "At every event of this nature that I have spoken at, the crowd of attendees is mostly comprised of women. "Here is my suggestion: let's strive for equal representation of men and women at this event next year." Survivor advocate Deborah Thomson also took the time to draw attention to the importance of speaking up to prevent family violence. "By offering support, you may just save a life," Ms Thomson said. "If you have concerns, ask someone if they're ok. That person may tell you to mind your own business or deny they are being abused. "Please don't take their response personally. I was a denier of victimisation for 17 years." Ms Thomson said being an advocate helped her process the "senseless abuse" that she had experienced. "As an advocate, I can focus on helping others," she said. "My greatest achievement was being part of the successful campaign for non-fatal strangulation to be a standalone offence. "A perpetrator of this abuse recently faced court and received a longer sentence, so was held more accountable."