The community is invited to a candlelight vigil tonight, Wednesday, May 6, from 5pm, beginning with a walk from the East Gippsland Shire Council Corporate Centre to the Bairnsdale Rotunda, or by meeting at the Rotunda.
Held on National Family Violence Remembrance Day, the vigil honours those who have lost their lives to family violence, while standing with survivors, their families and the wider community.
Through candle lighting, it offers a shared moment of reflection and commitment to ending family violence.
Family violence remains a confronting reality in East Gippsland, which continues to be overrepresented in state statistics. Over the past year, the region recorded the highest rate of family violence incidents in Victoria per 100,000 people, with 2479 incidents reported to police and 684 breaches of intervention orders, an increase of 8.2 per cent.
As part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, attendees are invited to a free barbecue, live music and candle lighting at dusk.
The Corporate Centre in Bairnsdale will be illuminated in purple until the end of the month as a show of support.
East Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the vigil was an opportunity for the community to come together.
“Family violence continues to have a devastating impact on individuals and families,” Cr Ashworth said.
“The rates in East Gippsland show this is a whole-of-community issue.”
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health executive manager family, youth and children’s services Kathy Dickinson said the event highlighted the need for awareness.
“At The Orange Door we see hundreds of family violence referrals every month,” Ms Dickinson said.
“This vigil creates a space for reflection and responsibility.”
The vigil will include a short address, a moment of silence, and information from local support services.
