Domestic violence vigil pays tribute to victims and survivors
The Murray Bridge community has come to the Place of Courage to remember those who have died due to domestic and family violence.
Twenty-eight candles have lined Murray Bridge’s Place of Courage memorial for the 28 women who have lost their lives to domestic violence this year.
Tim Law, organiser of a vigil held on Friday afternoon, welcomed observers and reflected the importance of not only attending but spreading the word into the community.
Guest speaker Pauline Walker said she knew there was domestic violence in her household growing up, but couldn’t quite remember seeing or hearing anything.
She often wondered why this was and soon got the explanation after chatting with her older sister.
“She used to bring me into another room and cover my ears and play music,” she said.
“It was really tough … the cost was to the whole family.”
Ms Walker and her siblings often lived out of different relatives’ houses, as her parents couldn’t provide stability.
“We went to one or more new schools every year,” she said.
“I always look back and think the one place that always felt safe and the most at home was my grandma’s, it was the one place that never seemed to change.
“(I) look back and think these are the people I’m really grateful for.”
The poem Another Woman Died Today by Carol Kaplan was read:
Another woman died today.
not far from where you live;
Just there, next door where the tall light
falls across the pavement.
A minute’s silence was shared between the community.
Roses were tossed into the river to honour the women and children who had lost their lives.
“Remember why you’re here and what you have done today,” Mr Law said to end the vigil.
The Place of Courage held the vigil for the first time after its opening in November last year.
On average one Australian women is killed every nine days by a current or former partner, according to Our Watch.
- Get help: Visit the Haven at Murray Bridge Community Centre between 9am and 4pm on weekdays, or the DVINA Centre at 1 Standen Street, Murray Bridge; call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 737 732, or Murray Mallee Adelaide Hills Domestic Violence Service on 8228 8960; or, in an emergency, dial 000.
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