A ROSE to honour each of the 73 women who tragically lost their lives to domestic violence in the past year, was laid at Town Beach on National Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day.
Accompanying the flower was a card bearing each woman’s name, their age, location, and the circumstances of her death.
It’s during important moments like these, organised locally by Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services, that violence is given a face and a name.
“When we speak their names and share their story, we honour the lives of the women who have been taken by violence,” Liberty’s Fundraising and Communications Officer Marcelle Brown told News Of The Area.
“It reminds us and the wider public that these [women] are not just statistics, they were daughters, mothers, friends [and] co-workers.
“Sharing their names gives dignity to their stories and reinforces the reality that this could happen to anyone.”
The team at Liberty knows all too well the impact that domestic violence has on our community.
They supported 2260 individuals last year and recorded 74 calls for support from women in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region – just during the month of March this year.
“We see the effects every day,” Marcelle said.
“Not just in the number of women seeking our help, but in the emotional, physical and economic toll it takes on families, children, and entire support networks.
“Domestic violence is one of the leading drivers of homelessness for women and deeply affects children who witness abuse, often resulting in trauma symptoms like PTSD and long-term impacts on development and wellbeing.”
During the tribute, Liberty’s team of specialists shared the stories of the 29 women from NSW who were killed, which was followed by a minute of silence in their honour.
“Publicly acknowledging these women strengthens our resolve to take action, because remembering them demands that we have more to do.”
“It helps break the silence and challenges the stigma that often surrounds domestic and family violence.
Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and Liberty CEO Kelly Lamb attended the tribute.
Kelly expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost and emphasised the urgent need to end violence.
She highlighted the growing demand for vital frontline support services, nationwide, noting that in NSW waitlists now extend from weeks to several months.
Marcelle added that this is causing each woman to be “trapped in an unsafe environment, thereby increasing the risk of harm to herself and her children”.
Domestic Violence NSW is the peak body for domestic violence services.
It reports that in Australia, one woman is killed every week and one child every fortnight as a result of domestic and family violence.
“Change begins with all of us,” Marcelle said.
“As a community, we must speak out against attitudes and behaviours that excuse or minimise violence and abuse.
“We need to promote respectful relationships, support survivors without judgement, and ensure that men and boys are part of the solution in challenging harmful norms.”
Increased funding and sustainable investment in the domestic and family violence sector are essential, as timely support can be the difference between safety and tragedy.
Investing in Early Intervention and prevention through schools, workplaces and the media, in addition to holding perpetrators accountable, is also key in turning the wheel.
“Ending violence against women and children is an ambitious goal, but if we work together, we can achieve it within a generation.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, call Liberty on 65 832 155 or 1800RESPECT.
By Rikki WALLER
