Around 500 students and staff at LHS formed the shape of a white ribbon on the school’s oval in a novel way to mark the occasion.

A local ambassador for the campaign, Darryl Goodwin, was also part of the photo and discussed the issue with students at a special assembly before the event.

Mr Goodwin said the campaign is about removing the stigma around speaking out when women face violence from men and to involve men in stopping it for good.

“It’s not usually talked about, so once there’s good conversation about it they start to think about what violence is,” Mr Goodwin said.

“It’s not just physical violence, it’s mental violence, emotional violence, it’s making someone feel bad in relationships, men getting jealous of their partners… there’s lots of different types of violence that occur.”

Mr Goodwin, a local police officer, said campaigns like White Ribbon have made a change in his line of work for the better.

“People have come up to me after I’ve spoken to them and said ‘thank you for talking to us, my daughter is now out of a violent relationship or potentially violent relationship with a boyfriend that was doing all of this stuff to them.’

Mr Goodwin said help for those who may find themselves in a similar situation is a call away.

“Speak out about it, act on it… you can go to the police who can put you in touch with all of these organisations that help women get out of a violent or abusive relationship.”

Local emergency services are holding a White Ribbon Walk on Friday from 4pm starting at Queen Elizabeth Park, and everyone is invited to come along.

After the walk a fundraising trivia night will be held at the Workmens Club from 7pm.

Money raised will go towards White Ribbon and Lithgow Partnerships Against Domestic Violence and Family Abuse.

More information and table bookings can be made by contacting Lithgow Community Projects on 02 6351 2230.

To find out more about the White Ribbon campaign visit www.whiteribbon.org.au.