Wimmera White Ribbon Committee chairman Justin Amor said he hoped to build on the 100-strong crowd that took to the streets last year.

‘‘The march is a public way for people to make a stand against violence against women and children,’’ he said.

The march will start at the Horsham Aquatic Centre car park at 12.30pm and proceed up Firebrace Street before finishing in May Park.

‘‘We’ve got some speakers on the day to highlight issues locally and discuss some of the work that’s been done in this space,’’ Mr Amor said.

Police Western Region Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh will speak after the march.

Mr Amor said White Ribbon was a male-led campaign which women could also participate in.

‘‘Predominantly the violence comes from the hands of men,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re wanting men to stand up and make an oath, challenge the abusive and violent behaviour they see around them, be role models for young males in their lives and be willing to talk to their family and friends about the topic – don’t have it hidden away.’’

The committee is establishing an ambassador program for community leaders who are intent on stamping out violence against women. Mr Amor said people from diverse sections of the community would be announced as Wimmera White Ribbon Ambassadors.

He said their role would be to represent the group, challenge the behaviours and to speak openly about family violence.

Mr Amor said the statistics around violence against women were shocking.

‘‘We had nearly 900 incidents reported to police in a one-year space for our area,’’ he said.

‘‘One in three Australian women have experienced physical violence and one in five sexual violence.

‘‘This sort of stuff is disturbing when you think about your partner, sister, grandmother, mother or aunty.

He said the Horsham march complemented national White Ribbon Day on Tuesday.