ANNUAL SILENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEMORIAL MARCH
"The Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March is held in honour of all the women, men and children, who have lost their lives as a result of domestic homicide in WA."
In 1994 a patchwork quilt was made. This quilt was assembled patch by patch by women and survivors of domestic and family violence. It was a fitting tribute to those who no longer could speak for themselves. This quilt now covers the speakers stand each year at the rally and march. The march continued with the support of the Domestic Violence Council of WA.
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In 1996, twenty six wooden life size cut outs were made into ‘The
Silent Witnesses.’ These figures represent the number of victims who
died that year as a result of domestic homicide in Western
Australia.
From 2000 onwards the Women’s Refuge Group WA (WRG WA) now know as the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WCDFVS), took on the role of organising the Annual Silent Domestic violence memorial march. The march which began with a handful of women survivors has grown to crowds of 500 who silently protest and call for an end to domestic and family violence. |
21st Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March
The 21st Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March was held on
Wednesday 23rd November 2011 in Stirling Gardens. Many members of
parliament, police, child protection workers, domestic violence support
services, refuge workers, community groups and committed members of the
public braved the searing 37 degree heat to honour and pay their
respects to the 10 people who had lost their lives as a result of
domestic homicide since the last march.
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Large market umbrellas were a welcome addition this year which not only
provided respite from the hot sun but showcased local community group
displays, information and free give aways. Seeds of hope were also
distributed to be planted as a living memory to those who have lost
their lives as a result of domestic and family violence.
| MC Verity James introduced Guest speakers Doolan Leisha and Walter Eattes, Angela Russo, The Hon. Robyn McSweeney, Gina Williams and Diana Warnock who all shared messages of thanks, reflection, hope and action.
Angela Russo, shared her personal story of adversity and financial struggle that followed after leaving a violent relationship. Through her experiences she has become a community campaigner of Funds for Freedom. The fund aims to provide grants that will assist women to purchase white goods and essential household items without having to repay a loan. |
The Hon. Robyn McSweeney raised concerns that the place where most people find comfort and safety - their home, is “sadly not the case for some” and on this she announced the establishment of the Fatality Review Committee into Deaths Related to Domestic Homicide.
Diana Warnock, patron of the WCDFVS announced the petition to
Government to consider reviewing the laws pertaining to domestic
violence. Simply stated the petition says that the charges of ‘unlawful
assault causing death’ should not apply in cases where there has been a
history of physical violence and abuse. To date 1,200 signatures have
been collected. The speaker’s have demonstrated that change occurs at
political and personal levels and as a community we can all work towards
an environment free of violence.
In closing Angela Hartwig, CEO WCDFVS announced the homicide victims whose lives were taken from them in violent attacks. Single red roses were laid upon symbolic coffins as a final farewell followed by a one minute silence and the silent march through the City Streets. |
The WCDFVS like to thank the volunteers and stall holders who generously gave their time to support and highlight that one death is too many. A special thanks to our MC Verity James who has been a valued supporter of the march for the past two years. We would also like to thank all the wonderful people who participated in the march, some for the first time and some who come each year - thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to walking with you again in 2012.
20th Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March
The 20th Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March was held on Wednesday 24th November 2010 in Stirling Gardens. A crowd of 500 people gathered to honour and pay their respects to the 15 people who had lost their lives as a result of domestic homicide since the last march. Prior to the silent march through the City streets, a rally was held with many poignant stories and messages shared by speakers who told of their professional and personal connections to tragedy, triumph and survival.
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Introduced by MC Verity James, Noongar Elders Doolann-Leisha and Walter
Eatts together with their grandson, Samuel Pilott-Kickett on didgeridoo
opened the day with a welcome to country and a message of
acknowledgement and support for ending domestic and family violence
The Hon. Robyn McSweeney MLC, Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests; Youth spoke of the Department's strategies to address domestic and family violence and later led the march with the WCDFVS Chairperson Kate Davis through the City.
International Guest Speaker Allan Wade spoke on behalf of his friends and colleagues and gave thanks for the privilege of being able to express their “collective yearning for a safer, more respectful, and more inclusive world for women.”
The Hon. Robyn McSweeney MLC, Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests; Youth spoke of the Department's strategies to address domestic and family violence and later led the march with the WCDFVS Chairperson Kate Davis through the City.
International Guest Speaker Allan Wade spoke on behalf of his friends and colleagues and gave thanks for the privilege of being able to express their “collective yearning for a safer, more respectful, and more inclusive world for women.”
 2002 Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March  2010 Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March | He talked to the issue at hand that
“Violence against women is a definitive men’s issue” and “violence
against women is with rare exceptions deliberate” “Men who choose to
abuse their partners already know how to be respectful, to communicate
effectively, and to express love and affection.” “If this were not
true, the period of communion in the early part of the relationship,
before the violence, would not be possible”.With respect to
women Allan Wade spoke of honouring women’s resistance to violence
perpetrated against them and said “Rather than asking how violence
affects the minds and brains of abused women, how abuse in childhood
renders women passive and disordered as adults, we should be asking how
women continue to resist violence, preserve their dignity and protect
their children when they are so isolated, so at risk and so blamed”.
Nicola Coleman, speaking publicly for the first time gave a heartfelt account of violence perpetrated during her 13 year marriage. It was a story that she bravely shared to speak out about the terror experienced by many women and children. - Fear of losing everything, including her children and her life. |
Nicola spoke of how with education and support
she is able to share her story to show that women have choices when
they are ready. She asks that people do not judge and condemn women
who are trying to find their way in a dark tunnel but to listen and
support them in finding their direction. Her story will inspire others
to speak out and say no to violence against women.
The acclaimed singer/songwriter and Multi WAMI award winner Gina Williams sang her original song Outside Dreams. She said it is a prayer for healing, reconciliation and survival and followed this with a lullaby she wrote for her young son. Many tears fell during her angelic performance sung in Noongar and English.
Finally the reading of the homicide victims – those whose lives were stolen from them – those who no longer could speak for themselves. As Angela Hartwig, CEO the WCDFVS, read out the homicide victim’s gender and age, a single red rose was laid atop white cardboard coffins by family, friends, members of parliament, police, Department for Child Protection staff, domestic violence workers and community supporters who all strive for a community free of violence.
The WCDFVS would like to thank all 500 people who participated in the march, thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to walking with you again in 2011.
As a community we can stand united and say no to domestic and family violence.
The acclaimed singer/songwriter and Multi WAMI award winner Gina Williams sang her original song Outside Dreams. She said it is a prayer for healing, reconciliation and survival and followed this with a lullaby she wrote for her young son. Many tears fell during her angelic performance sung in Noongar and English.
Finally the reading of the homicide victims – those whose lives were stolen from them – those who no longer could speak for themselves. As Angela Hartwig, CEO the WCDFVS, read out the homicide victim’s gender and age, a single red rose was laid atop white cardboard coffins by family, friends, members of parliament, police, Department for Child Protection staff, domestic violence workers and community supporters who all strive for a community free of violence.
The WCDFVS would like to thank all 500 people who participated in the march, thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to walking with you again in 2011.
As a community we can stand united and say no to domestic and family violence.
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