A STRONG and powerful message about violence or coercive control within a relationship was conveyed to Snowy Monaro residents through the Small Steps 4 Hannah program.

The two workshops, presented by Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation ambassador, Michael Jeh, were hosted by the Monaro Group of the Country Women’s Association (CWA).

The foundation was formed to raise awareness and education of coercive control behaviours following the brutal murder in Queensland by husband and father, Rowan Baxter, on February 19 2020 of Hannah Clarke and her three young children, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey - one of Australia’s worst domestic violence acts.

The nationwide program aims to create more awareness and empower communities to recognise the early signs of coercive control.

Sharing Hannah’s tragic story, and the work the Clarke family is doing now to halt family and domestic violence, is having a huge impact on all individuals and corporations involved.

Monaro Group president, Liesbet Shiel, opened the first of the two workshops last Tuesday night, which was attended by a cross section of the community along with Snowy Monaro Shire Councillors.

The two-hour workshop involved a presentation of news reports, audio grabs, police video, analogies, Facebook memes, “red flag” observations, photos and video of Hannah and her children, diagrams, graphics and interactive activities to form a clear representation of what Hannah Clarke faced in an abusive relationship.

“The issue for Hannah’s family and friends was they did not pick up the collective danger signs,” Mr Jeh said.

“They had missed the small things …. the coercive control was happening under the surface of the relationship before the murder.”

Mr Jeh added it was after Hannah's murder that her parents learned she identified with 29 out of 39 known indicators (red flags) of the risk of fatal violence.

“Lloyd and Sue Clarke want people to learn from their tragedy," Mr Jeh said.

"If you have a gut feeling maybe the situation should be explored further.

“They are talking about this tragedy, because if they don’t, Rowan has won.”

Mr Jeh revealed on average it takes seven attempts before a woman leaves a relationship permanently.

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, was unable to attend the forum but did issue a statement.

Mr Whan, in his statement, said he is a "big supporter of the work the CWA does statewide" and he "commends CWA Monaro group on being a part of the solution" to the complex issue of reducing violence against women.

"It is a great credit to the organisation that the focus this week is reducing violence against women," Mr Whan said.

"We have a long way to go with this very difficult issue, but we need to start from the basis that a woman has a right to feel safe both in the community and in their home.

"I'm not going to pretend there are quick solutions, but I have been pleased to see some of the steps Government is taking to tackle domestic and family violence in our state.

"Our last budget allocated $245.6 million to ensure that victim-survivors receive the support they need and to prevent violence before it happens.

"This funding will help expand vital programs like the Staying Home Leaving Violence initiative, allowing women and children to stay safely in their homes while removing the perpetrators.

"I am working to ensure this funding enables a 'Staying Home Leaving Violence' program to be established in Cooma," Mr Whan said.

"We are also investing in specialist workers to support children in refuges, expanding our Domestic Violence line, strengthening training and research to better protect those at risk.

"It's important to address causes. NSW is establishing a Primary Prevention Strategy to tackle the root causes of domestic and family violence. We're introducing programs in schools to teach children about healthy relationships, and expanding Men's Behaviour Change programs to help those who use violence recognise and change their behaviour.

"We are also changing our legal system to better protect victim-survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

"NSW is the first state in Australia to criminalise coercive control."

The Small Steps 4 Hannah presentation came to an emotionally intense conclusion with a three-minute video featuring Hannah and her children living, loving and enjoying life together.