Yagan Square was the place to mourn, commemorate, and honour the lives lost to domestic violence last night, as candles were lit and tears shed for those who were killed, and those who survived.
The vigil, hosted by the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, consisted of around 100 people, who gathered on Domestic Violence Remembrance Day to hear guest speakers share their stories.
Chief executive of Centre for Women’s Health and Wellbeing, Dr Alison Evans, addressed the crowd at the event and explained the centre’s mission for the year was to raise awareness not only for women who are victims of domestic violence, but children and family victims as well.
“This year we would like to be the voice of children and young people,” she said.
The event featured guest speaker Billie Wilkins, a domestic violence activist and victim-survivor who works at the centre.
Ms Wilkins delivered a speech at the event, urging people to speak up and fight for the rights of women and children facing domestic violence and its impacts.
“There is a cry rising across this country. A cry of grief, of rage, of love,” she said.
Since the start of 2025, 24 women and six children have lost their lives to domestic violence across Australia, and women like Ms Wilkins are calling for change.
“A lot of women in this line of work do this day in day out because we are so over a national crisis of women being murdered,” she said.
“Stop killing women. It should be that simple.”
Ms Wilkins shared her story at the vigil, about how she fled to WA to escape domestic violence. She urged people to engage with Domestic Violence Awareness Month this May, not only as a representative for the Centre for Women’s Health and Wellbeing, but as a victim-survivor.
“I think having an awareness month, it brings people who wouldn’t necessarily have to engage in any awareness. It brings attention.”
Billie Wilkins on Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On average, every seven days a woman in Australia dies due to domestic violence.
The attendees also observed a minutes silence to remember lives lost to domestic violence.
Anna Farrant, the manager for Family and Domestic Violence at the centre, was the MC on the night for her first vigil with the centre.
Ms Farrant discussed the importance of the candlelight vigil, and what it means for the centre and attendees.
“Tonight is an opportunity to grieve and reflect on the impacts of family and domestic violence,” she said.
She urged people to get involved in the fight against domestic violence, and said everyone in the community has a role to play in making a difference.
“This is an issue every second of everyday for too many women and children in our community,” Ms Farrant said.
“Nobody should feel there is no role for them. Nobody should feel that it’s so overwhelming that there’s nothing we can do about it. We all have a role to play.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or the organisation’s online chat support service.