The theme of the march was death caused by sexual abuse: "The death of hopes, of dreams, of childhood innocence, even physical death when people give up hope. And a lot of people are dead inside due to sexual abuse," he said.
The message was directed primarily at men, the main offenders.
A march on its own would not change anything but the group was also planning practical measures, such as setting up a 24-hour 0800 number for people seeking help or reporting abuse.
The group also planned educational materials to help young people protect themselves against abuse, for example of the type allegedly carried out by the Roastbusters.
Russell Smith, of offender treatment service Korowai Tumanako, said it was vital that people spoke out. That included abuse survivors in need of help, people who knew that abuse was being committed, and people who were harming others and needed help to stop.
Yesterday's march was one of a series of events in Kaikohe inspired by Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis' Massive (Men Against Sexual Violence) hikoi from Auckland to Cape Reinga in June.
Mr Davis is planning another hikoi in November, this time up the east coast from Kawakawa to Awanui.
Participants came from as far away as Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Auckland and included students from Northland College and Kaikohe Christian School.
Denise Ritchie of Stop Demand, an organisation working to halt sexual exploitation, said she did not believe Kaikohe was worse than anywhere else.
The difference was that when she canvassed community leaders around the country Kaikohe was one of the places that agreed to take a stand.
Mr Shaw was unsure whether child abuse was becoming more common or if it was simply more recognised. He believed, however, that sex abuse at schools was getting worse, fuelled by the easy availability of online pornography.
