Candlelight vigil to shine light on family violence

THE community will come together next week for a candlelight vigil and forum to remember the women and children who have lost their lives to family violence.

The Geelong Candlelight Vigil Forum will feature an expert panel of specialist speakers who will discuss how the community can support those impacted by violence and work together to prevent violence.

Survivor and advocate Simone O’Brien will also share her lived experience with family violence and journey towards recovery.

Presented by Meli and the Sexual Assault & Family Violence (SAFV) Centre, the event will take place on Wednesday, May 1 from 4pm at the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre.

The forum will provide the community with a safe space to grieve and share messages of hope, with attendees invited to light a candle in honour of those who have lost their lives.

“The Geelong Candlelight Vigil Forum comes at a time when our community is grappling with a number of recent tragic acts of violence against women,” Meli chief executive Grant Boyd said.

“Every woman has the right to live free from men’s violence and through the forum we can take positive and practical steps towards real change.

“We know that family violence affects people from all walks of life and includes many forms of abuse and violence that is not always physical.”

He encouraged the community to support each other and look out for signs of violence.

“Between 55 per cent and 70 per cent of women who have experienced violence, or are experiencing violence, are currently in the workforce,” Mr Boyd said.

“Knowing how to look out for each other in the workplace is an important step toward creating a safer community and one that is ultimately free from the impacts of family violence.”

 

Ms O’Brien said everyone had a role to play in identifying concerning behaviour.

“Little red flags turn into big red flags really quickly. In other words, don’t brush off any little red flags because it will become a big red flag,” she said.

“This applies to anyone; everyone should be looking out for little red flags.”

Almost 5,000 family violence incidents were recorded in the Greater Geelong region last year and at the time of writing, 25 women have this year already lost their lives.

Helen Bolton, chief executive of the SAFV Centre said a national conversation on violence against women was required.

“Victims have a right to be heard and believed,” she said.

“It’s time to reshape how we think and talk about men’s use of violence against women and focus on this prevalent but preventable issue.”

She said the candlelight forum presented an opportunity to focus, as individuals and a community, on the prevention of family violence through responsible action and advocated for a shift in attitude towards respectful relationships and gender equality.

“We all deserve safety and respect – wherever we live, work and play.

“Around one in six female workers have experienced violence or are currently experiencing violence.

“How we respond and support them plays a significant role in their safety and recovery.”

As part of the event, buildings and landmarks across Geelong and the Surf Coast will light up purple between 6-8pm.

To register for the forum, head to events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/10474205