Latrobe City Council held the Latrobe City Candlelight Vigil 2024 on Wednesday 1 May. The Candlelight Vigil has been delivered by Council since 2021 to honour the lives and memories of those who have been killed by domestic and family violence.
Candles were held high during the vigil to represent the women and children lost to family and domestic violence in Australia, visualising this widespread issue across our own communities. These vigils are a call to action to speak up, lift the veil of silence that surrounds domestic and family violence, and reach out for support if experiencing, and/or perpetrating violence.
Alongside Latrobe City Mayor Councillor Darren Howe, and Deputy Mayor Councillor Tracie Lund, Paul Ambrose from The Orange Door, a network that provides help for people experiencing family violence, spoke at the event.
On average, one woman a week is killed by her intimate partner. Latrobe City has the second highest rate of family violence in Victoria, and this has a significant impact on our entire community.
Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Councillor Darren Howe, said that we all have a responsibility to break the silence on family and domestic violence and provide support to those who need it.
"Latrobe City's Candlelight Vigil is a space for reflection, solidarity, and a time to consider how we can all prevent family and domestic violence," said the Mayor.
"I thank everyone who stood together with our Community on Wednesday 1 May, demonstrating your support and learning about the role we all have to play to end family and domestic violence."
"I encourage you to continue the conversation. Preventing family and domestic violence doesn't mean putting yourself in danger. It means challenging sexist or disrespectful attitudes held by a friend, family member, colleague, or teammate."
If you need support:
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Council encourages women seeking to gain financial freedom by starting their own business to consider attending the Turning Skills Into Startups three-part workshop at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre.
All ticket proceeds will be donated to 1800RESPECT. Tickets are $49 and can be booked here: www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-skills-into-startups-3-part-workshop-series-tickets-879190762237
