Hundreds of Tasmanians have gathered in Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone this evening to remember victims of domestic violence.
Families of victim survivors joined advocates and community members in lighting candles to honour those who have lost their lives on the national day of remembrance.
City of Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds attended the Parliament Lawns event and expressed concern about the “sharp rise” in the number of women killed in violent attacks so far this year.
“In 2023 there was an average of one woman being killed each week by an intimate partner in Australia and in 2024, there have already been 27 lives lost with an Australian woman being violently killed every four days,” she said.
The Lord Mayor said the vigil aimed to connect people with lived experience of domestic violence, fostering a sense of community and support networks.
Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas called for more support and awareness to reduce the prevalence and impact of family violence in the community.
“This is an issue that we need to face together so we can stop the violence from happening in the first place,” she said.
“For every woman who is killed there are thousands who live their lives in fear, walking on eggshells, trying to keep themselves and their children safe.”
Thomas said the annual vigils share the powerful message that victim-survivors are not alone and there is a community that cares and wants to see an end to domestic violence.
Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Madeleine Ogilvie said the state government has a plan that will work towards “eliminating the attitudes and behaviours” that lead to family violence.
“The Tasmanian Government has committed to over $100 million to implement the third Family Violence Action Plan to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence,” she said.
“This Plan includes a 37% increase to core funding to frontline family and sexual violence services, the introduction of electronic monitoring for high-risk family violence perpetrators and the development of ARCH Centres.”
Family and domestic violence support:
- 1800 Respect national helpline: 1800 737 732
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
- Lifeline (24 hour crisis line): 131 114
- Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
- Tas Family Violence Counselling and Support Service: 1800 608 122
