With Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month starting on 1 May, EDON Place is ready to encourage the community to go purple to end DFV with an extensive calendar of awareness and educational events throughout the month.
EDON Place community engagement coordinator and DFV team leader Jenae said all EDON Place events were designed with a collaborative approach, encouraging community members to unite in solidarity.
“Together, we stand to honour those we have lost, raise awareness and support those impacted by domestic and family violence,” she said.
“Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is incredibly valuable from an EDON Place perspective, as it brings the work we do every day into the community through meaningful events and engagement.
“It highlights the real and ongoing impacts of DFV, reminding us that this is not only a national issue, but one that is happening within our own community.”
Looking at the calendar of events, it is clear the statistic that one woman loses her life every week due to DFV is powerfully acknowledged through each vigil, ensuring these lives are not forgotten.
This month provides an opportunity to honour those who have lost their lives, while also supporting those left behind and continuing to raise awareness for those still experiencing violence.
Jenae added that it was important to offer a diverse range of events because, sadly, domestic and family violence does not discriminate, it affects people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Providing events that cater to different age groups and areas of the community ensures that awareness, education and support can reach everyone.
“Early intervention and awareness are key and by engaging people at all stages of life, we create more opportunities to educate, prevent and support.
“Ensuring these messages are shared across all age groups helps build a stronger, more informed community that is better equipped to recognise and respond to domestic and family violence.
“Honestly, across all the events we run and attend, we witness truly beautiful and meaningful moments for both survivors and the wider community.
“The candlelight vigil, in particular, is deeply moving, many hearts are touched as the names and ages of victims are read aloud.
“It creates a powerful space for reflection, remembrance and connection.
“The community walk is also incredibly impactful, as it shares pieces of these stories through memorials.
“It is especially powerful to see young people and community members come together, walking side by side, placing flowers and taking in the significance of what they are seeing.
“The sporting events offer a different, but equally important impact.
“They provide a more accessible and informal way to share resources and raise awareness.
“Something as simple as providing a pen with support information could make a real difference, because you never know whose life you might be helping or even saving.”
Overall, the one thing that Jenae wants everyone to remember during the month of May is – ‘Remember their names and be the voice the breaks the silence’.
