Candlelight Vigils To Shine Light on Family Violence in Tasmania

Media release – Engender Equality, 2 May 2023

National Candlelight Vigil Shines Light on the Issue of Family Violence in Tasmania

Each year on the first Wednesday of May communities from all over Australia gather for a candlelight vigil in remembrance and honour of those who have lost their lives to family violence. This meaningful event, marking the beginning of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, brings together victim-survivors, family violence workers, family violence reform advocates and community members not only in a moment of reflection, but to shine a light on the devastating impact family violence has on individuals, families and the wider community.

In Tasmania, the Domestic Violence Co-ordinating Committee, incorporating representatives from government and non-government family violence organisations in Tasmania, have organised candlelight vigils will be held simultaneously with others around the country on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 at Parliament House Lawns in Hobart at 5.30pm and the Wharf Precinct in Ulverstone at 6.30pm.

In 2023, as we face an average of one woman being killed by an intimate partner per week in Australia, the candlelight vigil remembers those who have lost their lives to family violence. The event also allows attendees to honour the courage of those victim-survivors who continue to experience violence within their homes and families. The candlelight vigil provides a meaningful opportunity for the community to gather in solidarity to provide their support to victim survivors of family violence, while also raising awareness of the issue and promoting the support options available to them.

Engender Equality CEO Alina Thomas says “It is wonderful to have people show their support and solidarity with victim-survivors and their families. The impact of violence and abuse is felt in families, in workplaces and in all communities across Tasmania.”

This year, Romany Wake, daughter of Rachel Wake, a beloved Tasmanian midwife who was allegedly murdered by her ex-husband in front of their children on Christmas Day 2021 in Hobart, will speak to her experiences at the candlelight vigil in tribute to her mother, and all those who have lost their lives to family violence.

“My mum was my biggest fan, always being present and supportive of everything I did, cheering me on no matter what. The past year has made me grow up faster than I could ever have imagined, but I hope I’m making her proud,” Romany explains.

Romany will be supported by other speakers on the night, as the community comes together to also support those family members and friends who have lost loved ones to family violence and continue to suffer from the devastating trauma this form of abuse has had on their lives.

Romany shares her experience; “I never got the time to grieve, I went to work a week later and acted as if nothing happened, but the trauma is present in everything I do; from hearing a song that was playing on the radio on that same fateful day, to looking in the mirror and seeing her features on me. The world continues to go forward but the trauma will stay anchored inside of me.”

The first candlelight vigil to honour women killed by family violence in Australia was held in Queensland in 2004, while vigils have been held in Tasmania since 2009. “Over recent years we have seen the vigil growing in size as our awareness and intolerance of violence against women increases. This is a social issue that is not going away and we are seeing more and more community members come out to say that women have the right to live in safe communities,” states Ms Thomas.

Those Tasmanians unable to attend a vigil in person are able to participate in the movement online, by sharing a picture of themselves or a candle to social media with the hashtag #EndDV or #Lightacandle2023, or by simply sharing in a minute of silence to remember.

It is hoped that the National Candlelight Vigil to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to family violence will allow the Tasmanians to stand together in solidarity to communicate that not only we will never forget these victims, but we as a community will also not tolerate family violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence or abuse, help is available. Please contact the Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122.