REAL Heroes Walk Away is a national campaign to end senseless violence on our streets and in pubs and clubs around Australia.

It's about taking responsibility for yourself on a night out - and helping the hotheads in your social circle understand the devastating impact a split-second decision to throw a punch can have on victims and their families.

We launched the campaign in response to the public outcry following the death of Thomas Kelly, 18, in Sydney's Kings Cross.

We aim to bring this hidden epidemic into the light. The stories of lives cut short are too many to simply write off as isolated tragedies.

For some young men, getting into a fight is the high point of a night out, without any thought given to the horrific injuries that may follow.

Our aim is to make violence abhorred in Australian society and to examine the effectiveness of state laws dealing with offenders.

Tomorrow and Sunday, News Limited's major newspapers - The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs in Sydney, the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun in Melbourne, The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mailin Brisbane, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail in Adelaide and The Sunday Times in Perth - and news.com.au will be publishing the findings of a major investigation into how senseless violence has become a major crisis in Australia.

Leading medical experts, victims, the families of victims, law enforcement authorities and the nation's leaders have endorsed this campaign to change community attitudes towards violence on our streets.

Don't miss this series and its relevance and importance to the lives of all Australians.

You can show your support for Real Heroes Walk Away by signing the petition at news.com.au or spreading the message on Facebook and Twitter via # heroeswalkaway

Originally published as Too many young lives cut short