On a clear, blue Tuesday spring morning, men and women gathered for a most meaningful, sometimes harrowing, two-hour community event.

Under the auspices of Shellharbour City Council and Zonta Club of Kiama-Shellharbour, community members launched of 16 Days Of Activism, an international campaign by Zonta to raise awareness of gender-based violence.

It began in a sombre way on the lawns outside Shellharbour Civic Centre.

As I walked in, people were gathered in small, silent groups, listening to calming sound bowls so exquisitely played by Barbara Jackson.

It was an atmosphere of quiet introspection, almost meditation.

On display on the lawn were three exhibits, full-length mirrors with shoes in front of each, artistically depicting three very sad statistics.

Zonta president Rita Sullivan with Lisa Cotton. Photo: The Bugle

The first mirror told us three in four domestic assault offenders are men; the second, that one in four women are impacted by domestic violence in their lifetime, and the last, that one in 10 violent assault victims are young people.

A confronting display. Appalling statistics.

The ceremony started.

Master of Ceremonies Bernie Hems of Kiama Community Radio welcomed those gathered.

Auntie Jodie Edwards, called upon to welcome us to Country, spoke powerfully of the history of violence in her own culture, and celebrated the strength of all women, and their nurturing and protection of children.

Guitarist Jessica Allen sang The Beatles classic "Let It Be" and later, "Hero", made famous by Mariah Carey. These were the perfect songs, the lyrics so appropriate.

A moment's silence ensued as Bernie read names from a list. The names and ages of 45 women who have been killed by domestic violence since January.

And then the list of unknown names killed. And then the list of child victims killed.

This reading was done as a mark of honour, and respect. As you can imagine, it was an impossibly sad and distressing few minutes.

The event continued inside the Civic Centre hall, and victims advocate Lisa Cotton was called upon to share with us her lived experience.

Her courage, bravery and absolute strength shone.

Suffering the most horrendous treatment over two decades, and with a child also being abused, she fought the system which she said had failed her.

She has over time courageously forged ahead to form Torchlight Foundation, and has helped many victims of domestic violence through her work in family crisis support.

Her story, and her utter courage in telling it, was heartbreaking and admirable.

A panel discussion followed, with four experts answering questions posed by Bernie.

Becky Garrett of Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI), Dr Jodie Park, social work practitioner and podcaster from FamilyPathway Solutions, Legal Aid lawyer Alira Morey and James Mulholland, mentor and teacher of young Aboriginal men, were insightful, caring, helpful and informative.

The overriding message was how to recognise coercive control, the importance of reaching out for help and that there are many avenues of help, with Legal Aid being the first step.

Tables set up at the rear of the hall by community organisations and help centres provided an array of leaflets and information.

The time, expertise and commitment to raising awareness of domestic violence given by all speakers was applauded by Rita Sullivan, president of Zonta Shellharbour-Kiama, in her closing remarks.

For all who attended, the message was made clear. This scourge of domestic violence is happening everywhere, every day. It can happen to anyone.

Zonta says No.