For immediate release

Landmarks around Victoria were lit up in purple on Wednesday 5 May as an online vigil was held to remember the lives of women and children who have been killed by family violence.

More than 1000 people joined the online Candlelight Vigil organised by Safe Steps, Victoria’s 24/7 Family Violence Response Centre.

Family violence remains endemic in Victoria. On any given night in Victoria, 104 women and children experiencing family violence are in crisis accommodation through Safe Steps[1]. Victoria Police attended over 90,000 incidents of family violence in 2020 – one incident every six minutes [2].

Tragically, 11 women have been murdered so far in Australia in 2021[3], and many thousands live with the trauma of family violence every day. 

A range of landmarks including Flinders Street Station, Bolte Bridge, the Sound Tunnel, the Town Hall, the Coles Fountain at Parliament Gardens, and landmarks in regional Victoria were lit in purple on the evening and through the night of May 5.

Speaking at the Vigil, Safe Steps CEO Rita Butera, said “This evening, we’re in mourning, remembering the devastating loss of so many women and children to family violence. We must do everything in our power to end this trauma.” 

For further information or to request an interview with Ms Butera, please contact Safe Steps on 0404 777 452

Advocate Grace Donato, Safe Steps CEO Rita Butera, Royal Women’s Hospital CEO Dr Sue Matthews pictured below. Further images are available upon request to media@safesteps.org.au

METRO LOCATIONS LIGHTING UP PURPLE

  • Melbourne Town Hall
  • Bolte Bridge
  • Sound Tunnel
  • Flinders St Station
  • Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
  • Federation Square
  • Parliament Gardens
  • Fitzroy Street Palm Trees
  • Myer Melbourne
  • Royal Women’s Hospital

REGIONAL LOCATIONS 

  • Wedge Entertainment Centre, Sale 
  • Clocktower, Sale 
  • Loy Yang Power Station 
  • Kilmore Hospital 
  • Yallourn Power Station 
  • West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul 
  • Churchill Big Cigar 
  • Qantum Offices – Warragul, Morwell, Sale & Bairnsdale