More than 100 community members gathered at the Bairnsdale rotunda last Wednesday night (May 6) for the first East Gippsland Candlelight Vigil, held to honour and remember lives lost to family and domestic violence.
The vigil was supported by East Gippsland Shire Council in partnership with Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH), the Partners in Violence Prevention (PVP) network and Gippsland Community Legal Services.
Speaking at the event, GLCH Family, Youth and Children’s Services Executive Manager Kathy Dickinson said East Gippsland continues to record the highest rate of reported family violence in Victoria.
“There is a lot of violence in our community,” Ms Dickinson said.
“The system is overwhelmed and we know that what is reported is still only the tip of the iceberg.”
She said family violence occurs across all socio-economic groups and is most often perpetrated by someone known to the victim. Ms Dickinson also highlighted the long-term impacts on children and families, and the ongoing fear many women experience even when intervention orders are in place.
“We also know that violence often follows a cycle and can include periods of calm, apologies and hope, followed by a build-up and an explosion of harm,” she said.
“That cycle traps people. It makes leaving difficult. And it makes outside support crucial.”
Ms Dickinson said preventing family violence requires shared community responsibility, including accountability for perpetrators and action across workplaces, sporting clubs, families and social networks.
“Silence helps no one. Being a bystander helps no one,” she said.
One program highlighted during the vigil was GLCH’s Men’s Behaviour Change Program, which works with men who have used family violence.
The program runs for approximately six months, with participants attending weekly two-hour group sessions.
“What we see is that when men engage meaningfully, behaviour can change and families can be safer,” Ms Dickinson said.
“When there is no accountability, the harm continues, and people cycle back through crisis again and again.”
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth was joined by Deputy Mayor Cr Tom Crook, Cr Joanne Eastman, council cheif executive Fiona Weigall and members of East Gippsland’s Youth Ambassador group at the vigil.
The vigil concluded with a minute’s silence in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to family and domestic violence.
Three generations at the vigil together: Shirley Pearce, Penny Cassidy and Tayla Chippindall.
