That was the message from Wollongong police during the Illawarra White Ribbon Walk on Friday.

Dozens gathered for the annual walk at North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club to raise awareness of the fight against domestic violence and to support the work of event organiser, the Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence.

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Wollongong Police District commander, Superintendent Martin Hayston said officers were doing everything they could within the law to keep women and children safe from domestic violence but "we can't do it by ourselves".

"NSW Police responds to more than 145,000 incidents of domestic violence every year which roughly equates to 400 incidents per day," he said.

"Tragically we see a large number of homicides as a result of domestic and family violence.

"Wollongong police are calling on the local community to take a stand against domestic and family violence

"Report incidents you witness, hear or are told by someone else so that we can not only respond but all prevent and disrupt it."

"You need to get involved in being part of the solution and not part of the problem."

Supt Hayston said when officers responded to a domestic violence incident, they put information cards into letterboxes to prompt neighbours to call the police the next time they hear an argument.

"We want neighbours to take notice and to tell us if something is happening or if they think something is happening," he said. "We don't mind if we turn up and nothing is happening. That is our job.

"Eliminating violence against women is everyone's responsibility."

Dapto High School student Montana Murada attended the event and said it was "horrible" that so many women suffered from domestic violence.

"I got the cards to give to the school or to give to people who might be suffering," she said.

White Ribbon ambassador Maris Depers encouraged people to not only take a stand and act against domestic violence on Friday but every day of the year, because otherwise the number of incidents and deaths was unlikely to fall.

Mr Depers said despite the national charity, White Ribbon Australia, going into liquidation earlier this year, the Illawarra committee was strong and would continue its work in the community.

All the money raised locally goes back into the Illawarra community through the committee organising training, resources and equipping frontline community service staff to keep women safe.