The West Gippsland Arts Centre forecourt will be lit up purple this Wednesday 4 May in memory of the lives of women and children lost to domestic and family violence.
Gippsland has some of the highest rates of family and domestic violence in the state with women and children 39% more likely to experience family violence than anywhere else in Victoria. Baw Baw alone has seen a 29.6% increase of family violence incidents in 2019-2020.
Baw Baw Shire is proud to collaborate with Gippsland Women's Health in lighting the forecourt purple to honour the memory of the victims and raise the awareness of the issue within the community.
Gippsland Women's Heath is working with several groups and organisations throughout Gippsland by holding candlelight vigils and lighting up community areas to advocate and share the message within the region.
The annual Candlelight Vigil and Light It Purple event is led by Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, Victoria's state-wide response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence. They support family violence survivors to overcome trauma so they can thrive in their communities and live free from violence.
Visit Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
