With flags of orange, green and purple flapping in the wind, between 100 and 200 people chatted quietly to one another as they walked from the Ballarat Law Courts to the median street in front of the Town Hall.

There were partners and family of those who were victims of institutional sexual abuse and had committed suicide as a result. There was also a small number of victims themselves, remembering friends they had lost in Ballarat institutions.

Still more were there to provide support and solidarity to those grieving. There was sadness and reflection on the lives of those who had been unable to cope with the crimes committed against them.

The message presented by those who organised the march was the time for silence – if there ever really was a time for silence – had long since past. It is time to speak loudly about the issue.

One of the organisers, Trish Harrison, said Loud Fence had only been running for a few weeks.

“It was a Facebook community started so people impacted by this could provide support or feel supported.

“It is not a statement of anger or a statement of judgment. It is to say it’s time to end the silence.”

At the statue of Queen Victoria, marchers were met by members of Ballarat’s Survivors of Suicide group. There they joined in the SOS group’s White Wreath Day commemoration.

Maureen Hatcher, who had attended St Alipius Parish School with Ms Harrison, acknowledged the survivors, the victims who had spoken out and those victims who “have not yet had the courage to speak out”. 

The term “Loud Fence” comes from the practice of tying brightly coloured ribbons on fences to show support for victims of sexual abuse in institutions. 

Ms Harrison said ultimately Loud Fence wanted a memorial and an annual day set aside for victims, separate from White Wreath Day.

To contact Loud Fence, visit  www.facebook.com/loudfence.