Inala Community House joins all Queenslanders to say:
“Not now, not ever.”
Together, let us help put an end to domestic violence.
May marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in Queensland.
On Friday 25th May 2018, Inala Community House co-organised the 2018 Inala Community Candlelit Circle, with our valued partners Kyabra, Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS) and South West Brisbane Community Legal Centre.
Starting from 5.15pm, the free community event was held at Inala Civic Centre Courtyard (corner of Corsair Avenue and Wirraway Parade).
Our purpose was to invite the public in spreading awareness about domestic violence and remembering the lives that had been lost.
The event started with an Acknowledgment of Country by Naomi Chapman.
“Today’s event focuses on the ugly truth of domestic and family violence, which often ends in deaths. In Australia, two women are killed nearly every week due to family and domestic violence. More disturbing statistics show that although death is not always the outcome, intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to the preventable death, disability and illness burdens in women aged 15-45. Full-time GPs are seeing up to five women per week who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual intimate partner abuse. All these are unacceptable reasons – and why we are gathered here today,” said our Inala Community House Community Engagement Manager Haley Kiata.
“Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown a 26% rise in domestic violence protection orders in Queensland and that breach of these orders has more than doubled, while calls for support to DVConnect (http://www.dvconnect.org) have tripled. This may seem as an improvement displaying lesser tolerance for violence and more people willing to ask for help. However, we will continue to shout ‘it is not OK’. It is not OK that our babies are dying at the hands of their protectors without the chance to grow up. It is not OK that our women are being killed for speaking out or trying to leave. It is not OK to tolerate the neighbour who ‘loses it’ every now and then. It is not OK that we are raising boys to become violent men and passive girls to become submissive women. We are here today to stand up and shout ‘it is not OK’ for the future of our community,” continued Haley.
Thank you to Brisbane City Council Forest Lake Ward Councillor Charles Strunk for his speech and ongoing support. Thank you to a survivor Helen who bravely shared her domestic violence story and Mark who performed a special song he wrote for the occasion.
Finally, the biggest thank you to all friends and families from our community who lit a candle with us in loving memory of all victims of domestic and family violence.
How to get help:
In an emergency call the police on triple zero (000).
DVConnect Womensline
Phone: 1800 811 811
(24 hours, 7 days a week)
Womensline helps women to obtain safe refuge accommodation, confidential counselling and referral to other services.
DVConnect Mensline
Phone: 1800 600 636
(9am to midnight, 7 days a week)
Mensline provides confidential counselling, information and referral to men affected by domestic and family violence.
Kids Helpline
Phone: 1800 55 1800
(24 hours, 7 days per week)
Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14
(24-hour Crisis Counselling Line)
