THE Cave Gardens will fall into silence next month as community members gather together to remember women who have lost their lives as a result of domestic and family violence.
The Limestone Coast Family Violence Action Group and Soroptimist International Mount Gambier will host a candlelight vigil on May 1 at 5.30pm.
Limestone Coast Local Service Area Superintendent and White Ribbon Ambassador Philip Hoff will address crowds at the vigil.
Group chair Sonya Mezinec said the candle lighting ceremony was part of a national event held on the first Wednesday of May each year to raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence on communities.
She said this year’s commemorative service would see a special tribute to Mount Gambier’s Eden Kennett, who lost her life due to violence in mid-December.
Ms Mezinec said the focus on the impacts of domestic and family violence on children would also be acknowledged at the May event.
“22 children died in 2019 due to murder and manslaughter last year,” she said.
“When someone is experiencing domestic violence, it is the whole family that is affected.
“Violence often leads to neglect of the children, and we know it has psychological impacts on them.
“We know it impacts on the kids’ schooling, their future and their ability to concentrate, which can then often be manifested through inappropriate behaviour in the class room.
Ms Mezinec encouraged all community members to demonstrate their support for South East families affected by domestic violence and stand in solidarity against eliminating violence in society.
“Not a week goes by that a woman does not die as a result of violence in Australia,” she said.
“In 2017, 50 women died as a result of violence.
” In 2016, 73 women lost their lives as a result of violence.
“In 2019 and as of 16 April, 15 women had lost their lives due to violence in Australia in 2019.”
