Speaking at Zonta Dunedin branches' launch of an international End Violence Against Women campaign, at Dunedin Library yesterday, Prof Henaghan said society still believed ''might is right''.
People in authority across all sectors of society, even Parliament, believed it was all right to put other people down, he said.
''We're surrounded by it. The strong will always push the weak.''
However, the only time anyone should physically fight back was if defending themselves, Prof Henaghan said.
''You have got to walk away. There is no justification for the use of physical force, especially if you are bigger.''
Until everyone in society said ''it is not on'', it was difficult to change, he said.
''It will only change when politicians do not bully each other in Parliament, when people at work do not put each other down ...''
Until that mindset changed, women and children would continue to be vulnerable and need support.
It was not just a ''family problem'', but ''all our problem'', he said.
While the Government was making changes to help address child poverty, violence and abuse, those organisations such as Women's Refuge, which provided the support at the coal face, needed financial support.
Zonta Club of Dunedin-Otago president Lea Werner said the Say No to Violence Day yesterday began a 16-day international awareness campaign about violence against women and supported New Zealand's white ribbon campaign.
The clubs hoped to highlight the issue in Otago and the devastating statistics to do with women and children injured and killed in the region.
As a result, 56 pairs of shoes were on display at the library, representing women and children affected by injury or death due to domestic violence in New Zealand in the past two years.
Hundreds of people took part in events throughout New Zealand to mark White Ribbon Day.
