People from all over Australia unite against domestic violence in observance of the White Ribbon Day.

Numerous events were organized Monday to raise awareness on domestic violence against women which, according to White Ribbon Day CEO Libby Davies, kills one Australian woman every week.

A march was held in Sydney where participants ranging from politicians, sportsmen and the police went from Randwick's High Cross Park to Coogee Beach. This was followed by an oath-taking ceremony led by the state's police commissioner Andrew Scipione, where participants swore "not to commit, excuse or remain silent about domestic abuse".

According to Mr Scipione, violence against women is a 'scourge' in the community that has horrible results.

"One third of all homicides are domestic related," he told ABC Radio.

"Most of the victims in domestic violence are women, so men need to be men, show courage, show strength and protect their women, not beat them."

The police force from the rest of Australia also have their respective events to campaign against domestic violence. Queensland Police had their obstacle course and other events in Reddacliffe Place in Brisbane, while the Victoria Police had their community day with a soccer match as a highlight at Popup Park in Dandenong.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Rollo says attitudes about family violence need to change.

"It's so important to speak up if you see or know someone is being abused in the home so that we can break the cycle of abuse," Mr Rollo said.

But Ms Davies says that Australia still has a 'long way to go' in the quest to stop domestic violence.

"If we're going to have real equality ... then we need to break down these notions of control that many men have in relation to women," Ms. Davies adds.

The White Ribbon Day started in Canada in 1991, and since then it has become an international event. The event arrived in Australia in 2003 and formally became an institution in 2007.