It was a vibrant and multi-aged 80-plus-numbered crowd walking from Warwick Town Hall to Williams Memorial Hall in Guy Street last week for the Warwick Safe Haven Peace Walk and Candlelight Vigil.
This month's focus on Domestic and Family Violence Prevention is themed, "Take positive action today to build a safer Queensland," and additional numbers at the talk were also showing support for those impacted by this reality.
Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton said she had "seen the debilitating effect these behaviours can have on a victim".
"In many cases it results in substance abuse, and results in a vicious cycle as the perpetrator makes excuses for their behaviour based on the victim’s substance abuse," she told those gathered at Warwick Uniting Church.
"Warwick Safe Haven have been organising this important event since 2009 and provide support for domestic violence recovery and prevention in our community. I thank their volunteers for providing this valuable service to our community and organising this evening’s event."
Mayor Hamilton pointed to the coercive control laws that are to come into effect across the nation, adding, "These insidious forms of behaviour are 'red flags' and include tracking a partner without their full consent, controlling their finances, isolating them from friends and family and monitoring their messages.
"For all of us, being effective bystanders is so important and can often be the catalyst for a victim to seek support and assistance. This evening’s candlelight vigil, gives each of us a moment to pause, reflect and remember those lives that have been impacted by domestic and family violence over the past year. By being together here this evening, we are sending a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our community."
President of Warwick Safe Haven, Bette Bonney told The Journal that she experienced a "very positive feeling" at the gathering and was encouraged to continue to raise awareness.
Messages from Acting Sgnt Catherine Lowe, Warwick Patrol Group, as a Domestic Violence support officer were of her vision for a safer community.
Keith Clarke, a long time executive committee member for Redback Football Club and highly regarded mentor, coach and volunteer, expressed his personal proactive stance on protection for vulnerable community members, especially women and girls impacted by domestic and family abuse.
Ms Bonney said, "The planning for future strategies regarding the Redbacks becoming an official 'safe place' for all vulnerable community members, is on the cards."
"We look forward to further conversations with Warwick Safe Haven to procure appropriate training for sports related personnel," she said, flagging that young people are very much part of awareness-building.
"Some of the Youth Council members attending expressed a keen interest in investigating ways in which they may be able to continue supporting the cause - and any thoughts on how their schools can be kept in touch with Prevention, Recovery and positive self-empowerment strategies and workshops," Ms Bonney said.
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