By Tricia Mifsud
THE bluestone building at Kilmore District Health was lit in the colour purple and a candlelight vigil in the rose garden at the hospital on Wednesday night honoured lives lost to family violence.
Each year, on the first Wednesday of May, Australia commemorates Domestic Violence Remembrance Day, and since 2005, candlelight vigils have taken place across Australia to remember victims who were murdered by family violence perpetrators.
Kilmore District Health’s Strengthening Hospital’s Response to Family Violence project officer Regula McKinlay said it was important to show the community their hospital offered support to family violence victims.
“From the hospital’s point of view, the evening went really well and we had a great turnout. It shows to the community where our nurses and staff stand, and that our community is affected by family violence and several women pay the ultimate price,” Ms McKinlay said.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2016, one in four women has experienced violence by an intimate partner since the age of 15.
The Australian Institute of Criminology said in 2017, on average, one woman is murdered each week by her current or former partner. One man is murdered every 29 days by a current or former partner according to the Australia Institute of Health and Welfare in 2019.
People can also call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or visit safetsteps.org.au for help or Mitchell Shire residents can call Nexus on 1300 77 33 52.
Support is also available at White Ribbon by calling 1800RESPECT or visiting whiteribbon.org.au.
