Tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, a candlelight vigil will be held outside the Legislative Assembly to remember those who have died from intimate partner, domestic, and family violence, and the effects it has on those left behind.
May is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the National Day of Remembrance is held on the first Wednesday in May.
The ceremony will be held from 5.45pm in Civic Square. It is open to and free for anyone who wishes to shine light, recognise, and pay respect to victims of domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) organises the event, in conjunction with other organisations.
“The vigil allows organisations and community members to come together to reflect, show solidarity, and raise awareness around domestic violence,” said Sue Webeck, CEO of the DVCS.
“It is an opportunity to come together to recognise the continued work and advocacy needed to end domestic and family violence.”
According to the DVCS, there are around 129 homicides from domestic and family violence every year in Australia. (In 2021, there were 105 victims – 40 victims fewer than the previous year, ABS data records.) Most victims are intimate partners (56 per cent). More than one woman is killed in Australia every week by a partner or former partner.
Many more people die early from the impact of living with domestic and family violence, a DVCS spokesperson said, through physical health issues related to violence, alcohol or drug overdoses, and suicide.
This year, the DVCS has invited Aboriginal leaders and Aboriginal-run organisations to support the event: Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan; Tanya Keed from Clybucca Dreaming Consulting, which provides Aboriginal-led allied health and trauma management and support services, training, mentoring, and case management; and the Mulleun Mura team, a law and justice service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families, from the Women’s Legal Centre ACT.
Aboriginal communities face the ongoing impacts of racism, discrimination, and violence, Ms Webeck said.
“We particularly hold close this year the disproportionate impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence which Aboriginal people face, and pay respects to the strength and determination of particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in nurturing their families, connecting them to community, country, and culture, and keeping them safe.”
The National Carillon, Telstra Tower, and other monuments will be lit up in purple to acknowledge this sobering day.
If you need help, call the DVCS 24-hour crisis line: 6280 0900. If you live outside the ACT, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Doris Women’s Refuge, Toora Women Inc., and Beryl Women Inc. are domestic violence specialist units in the ACT that can help women experiencing domestic violence.
DVCS provides 24 hours/7 days a week direct crisis intervention and telephone support services; attendance with police at domestic/family violence incidents; court advocacy services for people who have been subjected to violence; access to safe accommodation; information and referrals; community education and resources; support for family and friends; and support services for children and young people who witness or are subjected to violence and/or use violence in their family relationships.
The public can donate money via GiveNow. At the end of the year, DVCS runs a Christmas Donation drive, and accepts money, vouchers (helpful for those who seek crisis accommodation), and food.
“But the biggest help the community can do is to talk about this issue and raise awareness around it,” Ms Webeck said.
