Anglican parish joins purple bench project to support domestic violence victims
A local church has recently installed a purple bench to offer a place of solidarity and honour victims of domestic and family violence.
This story was contributed by Daniel Irvine.
The Anglican Parish of the Murraylands is proud to be participating in the purple bench project, an initiative which raises awareness and shows visible support for victims and survivors of domestic and family violence.
The parish’s own purple bench was recently installed outside St John’s Anglican Cathedral in Murray Bridge, adjacent to the St John’s Op Shop, and will be formally unveiled in a service at the end of August.
The bench is painted in the initiative’s signature purple and includes a plaque acknowledging the national tragedy of domestic and family violence, honouring those who have died, and offering solidarity to those affected.
It stands as a place of quiet reflection for all who need to sit, remember, grieve, or take comfort.
The parish priest in the Murraylands, Reverend Daniel Irvine, said the bench was a sign that the church was not silent about the issue.
"It’s a public witness of care, sorrow, and commitment to stand with victims and survivors of domestic and family violence," he said.
The location of the bench, on the grounds of St John’s Cathedral, carries added meaning.
St John’s Op Shop, which operates from the same site, is a longstanding community ministry offering affordable clothing and household items, and material assistance to people in crisis.
Many who visit the op shop have been displaced from their homes by domestic or family violence, and the volunteer team works with compassion and dignity to help meet their immediate needs.
Domestic and family violence continues to impact thousands of Australians each year.
According to Mission Australia, one in six women and one in 16 men have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner.
On average, one woman is killed by an intimate partner every 10 days in Australia.
For regional areas like the Murraylands, support networks and visible signs of solidarity were essential, Mr Irvine said.
The purple bench project began in Canada and has been adopted across parts of South Australia, thanks to the leadership of the Diocese of Adelaide and support from local councils and churches.
Each bench installed throughout the state serves as a place of remembrance and a prompt to ongoing action.
The Parish of the Murraylands invites members of the community to attend the unveiling at a combined parish service at 11am on Sunday, August 31, where prayers will be offered, and words of reflection shared.
All are welcome to come and show support for this vital cause.
- 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.
