BATTLING the cyclic nature of family violence is a problem which confronts police and the community as a whole.To mark White Ribbon Day in Ballarat yesterday, about 2000 children from across local schools gathered at City Oval as part of a new campaign to highlight and combat family violence against children.Community activist Craig Schepis is one of several people behind the Homeless Awareness Program for Primary Years _ or Happy House _ initiative that will be taken into schools.Mr Schepis said there was a direct link between family violence and youth homelessness. "It's one thing to educate our community, but we need to be working more pro-actively on early intervention," he said."So we are working on a strategy where we are trying to have kids understand and work on implementing strategies in the primary schools through the Happy program."In nine-out-of-10 cases I see of youth at risk and homelessness, they are subject to domestic violence or abuse so the crossover is extremely strong."The gathered students were also participants of a new television commercial to air next year.In the commercial a five-year-old girl is featured in the middle of the oval alone as a predatory male stalks her. As the child is approached the 2000 children walk onto the oval to form a house, protecting the child from danger.Collins Media Advertising staff donated their time for the commercial. Producer Walt Collins said the commercial sent a powerful message. "We want to hit home the message if you are a kid at risk there is help at every step of the way," he said.