Hundreds of candles flickered across the evening sky on 7 May 2025, as Safe Steps and the Victorian community came together for the annual Candlelight Vigil — a moving tribute to those lost to family and domestic violence.
Together, almost 400 people gathered – standing shoulder to shoulder with survivors, advocates, loved ones, and leaders from across Victoria to share stories of resilience, spark hope and inspire lasting change.
Safe Steps was proud to be joined and supported by Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Federal Courts of Australia, Councillors, Victoria Police, CEOs and supporters from across the family and domestic violence sector. In a powerful show of solidarity, landmarks across Melbourne, including AAMI Park, Melbourne Town Hall, Federation Square, Myer Melbourne and Crown Promenade, were illuminated in purple.
The Candlelight Vigil was a poignant reminder that family and domestic violence remains a national crisis – with 13 women and 9 children already losing their lives due to domestic and family violence in 2025 alone*. Since June 2024, 66 lives have been lost across Australia*.
Dr Chelsea Tobin, CEO of Safe Steps, said that the annual Candlelight Vigil was a powerful tribute to honour victims of family and domestic violence, who we will not forget.
“It is a national shame and tragedy that every year, there are more names to remember.”
One in four Australian women (27%) has experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member*, while 12% of adults witnessed partner violence as children*. Up to almost 40% of children have experienced exposure to domestic violence before the age of 18*.
Candlelight Vigil attendees were addressed by Jodie, who lost her best friend due to domestic violence.
“My best friend Mary was a bold, bright, beautiful young woman whose story was cut short. She was taken and killed by the man who was supposed to love her.”
“It has been 25 years this year since Mary was taken from us. We light candles and say their names, but how many more names will there be? How many more Marys?”
“So, I am begging for change. For funding. For action. For prevention. For justice.”
“We shouldn’t have to mourn more women. We shouldn’t have to stand here again next year, with even more names on the list. Mary’s life mattered. Every life – every man’s, every woman’s and every child’s life matters.”
As Victoria’s only 24/7, inclusive, confidential family and domestic violence crisis support service, we handle over 130,000 calls, emails, and live chats every year, highlighting the scale of the crisis facing victim-survivors across Victoria. Safe Steps provides around 33,000 nights of emergency accommodation, offering safety and shelter to the most vulnerable and at-risk members of the community, 43% of which were children and young people on any given night.
If you or a person you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, reach out at any time by calling 1800 015 188, emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au or through live chat at safesteps.org.au/live-chat . Safe Steps is here to guide you and support you to safety.
Watch the Candlelight Vigil Highlights Video:
*https://www.ourwatch.org.au/
*https://australianfemicidewatch.org/
*https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/personal-safety-australia/latest-release
*https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/resources/fdsv-summary
*https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/children-and-young-people
