Residents out to retake night

Hundreds of Albany residents stood united against family and domestic violence at the first local Reclaim the Night rally in two decades last Friday.

About 400 people gathered at Albany Town Square for the event hosted by Albany Family and Domestic Violence Action Group, which aimed to send a clear message to the community that violence against women and children would not be tolerated.

At the event, domestic violence survivor Sandra Wolfe shared snippets of her experience of living with a violent partner for more than 20 years.

Ms Wolfe said domestic and family violence often escalated over time.

"Domestic violence comes from a long conditioning in the relationship, it's not something that's jumped into straight away, it's not something a man all of a sudden decides to do to his partner," she said.

"The control in the relationship is what has to be in place first for any violence to be accepted as a part of a normal relationship.

"First it starts out with a co-dependency on one another … this is how a depth of control can creep into a relationship and once the control is in place, the abuse can start."

Protective behaviours teacher and foster mother of nine children Liz Grixti gave an insight into how family violence could have a long-lasting negative effect on a child's life.

Albany Family and Domestic Violence Action Group spokeswoman Natalie Gardiner said the response from the community exceeded expectations.

"It was great to see so many different community groups and organisations there," she said.

Great Southern family protection co-ordinator Sergeant Merryn Bojcun said on any night there were at least 58 women and 64 children hiding out in motels and caravans around the State.