Community
9 May, 2025
City turns purple
SEVERAL landmarks across Warrnambool were awash in purple after dark this week.
The Lighthouse Theatre, Fletcher Jones silver ball and the South West TAFE building were all glowing purple on Wednesday night as part of Safe Steps’ Candlelight Vigil.
The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre (SAFV Centre), locally known as Emma House, in partnership with Safe Steps, instigated this week’s vigil.
The Candlelight Vigil honoured and remembered the women and children who have lost their lives as a result of family violence.
The night also held a space for people to grieve and ensure that we never forget their loved ones and individual people who are represented in the alarming statistics, while also sharing messages of hope, support and offering a sense of community for those living with the trauma of family violence.
Family violence is prevalent in our community, and increasing.
On average in Australia, a woman a week is killed at the hands of a current or former partner.
In the Warrnambool LGA, there was a 4.2 per cent increase in the number of incidents in the last financial year.
Warrnambool is within the top 20 of all LGAs for family violence incident rates for the state.
National data asserts that women in remote and regional communities are 24 times more likely to be hospitalised for family violence than women in major cities.
Those from remote and regional communities report they find it harder to report violence due to shame and stigma.
During this week’s Candlelight Vigil many landmarks across Victoria were lit up in purple to create community awareness.
In Warrnambool, the Lighthouse Theatre, Fletcher Jones Silver Ball and South West TAFE were all lit up in bright purple, demonstrating their commitment to supporting those impacted by family violence and focusing on prevention.
Emma House chief executive officer Kerriann Campbell Jones said the vigil was an opportunity for the community to reflect and acknowledge those sadly killed through an act of family violence, while bringing light to the national crisis of family violence.
“The candlelight vigil allowed us to honour and remember the women and children who have tragically lost their lives as a result of family violence,” Ms Campbell Jones said.
“It’s also a night to promote to people currently living with violence that they aren’t alone, services are available to assist and that as a community we won’t tolerate family violence.
“It’s important to shine a light on family violence through the vigil as the choice made by an individual to use violence is harmful, unacceptable and prevalent, however it is preventable
She added that as a community and as individuals we all need to work toward prevention by taking responsible action; by becoming informed of the causes of family violence and to shift our violence supportive attitudes by working towards respectful relationships and gender equality to ultimately end violence against women and children.
The candlelight vigil was a call to action to speak up and connect.
“We encourage everyone to share their reflections or remembrances on social media and include the hashtag #LightACandle2025,” Ms Campbell Jones said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, support is available.
Please contact The Orange Door on 1800 312 820, Emma House on 5561 1934 or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.
