ONE week after her death, Mount Gambier resident Eden Kennett was honoured at a vigil on Friday.
Friends and family were joined by more than 100 people, including neighbours, police and service providers, at the Cave Gardens to remember the 25-year-old and others who lost their lives in recent tragedies.
Coordinated by the Limestone Coast Family Violence Action Group, chair Sonya Mezinec told the crowd Ms Kennett was the 67th woman suspected to have died due to domestic violence in Australia this year, with the number tragically growing to 68 in the following days.
The circumstances surrounding Eden’s death remain before the courts, with her domestic partner Mount Gambier man Bradley Wayne Trussell, 27, charged with her murder.
He is still to enter a plea, with the case to continue in August next year.
But while details are still to be confirmed in regards to the case, Ms Mezinec spoke about domestic violence in general and its tragic toll on the community.
“Let us change the behaviours that led to these deaths,” she said.
“That would be the most appropriate way to honour their passing.”
She said workers in the social services sectors had historically focused on women’s safety, with resources aimed at assisting women fleeing abusive relationships.
“However, you would have to say at this stage that has not worked terribly well at keeping women safe because often even removing them does not keep them safe,” Ms Mezinec said.
“If there is a problem, you go to the root cause of the problem and the root cause of the problem is actually the behaviour of some men.
“Not all men are violent, but when we look at the statistics, most violence is perpetrated by men, whether that is against women or against other men.
“That is an issue that we really do need to address and it’s an issue that needs to be addressed so we do not meet again in these sorts of circumstances to honour another woman who has died because of violence.”
Following a minute of silence, Ms Mezinec urged the community to think about the horrific toll of domestic violence, further challenging attendees to change their behaviour.
“As we go now towards the Christmas season, it is often a time where emotions are heightened so can we perhaps all remember to be kind to one another,” she said.
“Take a deep breath when we get a bit angry with someone in our lives and not take out our frustration on others.
“If you have a problem, if there is something really bothering you then please, talk to someone.
“Get help.
“Take responsibility for yourself and do not blame another person for your problem.”
