The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, Bethany Community Support and the City of Greater Geelong will light up landmarks across Geelong in purple as part of Safe Steps’ Candlelight Vigil next week.
The Candlelight Vigil honours and remembers the women and children who have lost their lives as a result of family violence.
On average in Australia, a woman a week is killed at the hands of a current or former partner.
On Wednesday, May 4, the City of Greater Geelong will be lighting up the catenary lights, Shorts Place and trees along the Geelong waterfront.
As part of the vigil, Deakin University Waterfront Campus, Salvation Army Geelong, Victoria Police, Geelong Arts Centre and others will be joining Melbourne landmarks Flinders Street Station, Bolte Bridge, Victoria Police Headquarters, and Town Hall to mark the occasion.
The SAFV Centre acting chief executive Mary Cowell said the vigil was an opportunity to reflect and remember, while shining a light on national crisis of family violence.
“The Candlelight Vigil allows us to honour and remember the women and children who have lost their lives as a result of family violence,” she said.
“It’s also a night to hold those currently living with violence in our thoughts and remind them that they aren’t alone and that we won’t tolerate family violence in our community.
“The impact on women and children who live with family violence is devastating and long lasting. While family violence is prevalent, it is preventable. We need to come together as a community to prevent family violence – we all have a role to play.
“While we have a range of services available in our community to respond and support women and children impacted by family violence, it will take a shift in our attitudes towards women and working towards gender equality that will ultimately end violence against women and children.”
Bethany Community Support chief executive Grant Boyd said the Geelong community had an important role to play in standing up to family violence.
“Family violence affects people from all walks of life and includes many forms of abuse and violence that is not always physical. Ultimately, we want to live in a community free from the impacts of family violence, but there is much work to do to achieve this,” he said.
“The Vigil invites our community to unite, talk and remember women and children who have been impacted by family violence. It’s great to see so many Geelong businesses supporting the Candlelight Vigil by turning their building lights purple to create community awareness and help lift the veil of silence that surrounds family violence.”
Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said the City of Greater Geelong council fully supported any initiative to eradicate family and domestic violence.
“Council is committed to addressing family and domestic violence, through primary prevention, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing gender-based discrimination,” Cr Sullivan said.
“This occasion gives us all a chance to reflect on the lives that continue to be lost to family violence, to honour those who have died, and to solidify our commitment to addressing family violence in our community.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, support is available. Please contact The Orange Door on 1800 312 820, The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre on 5222 4318 or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.
