Candlelight vigils to shine a light on violence

Three candlelight vigils will be held throughout the city this week in honour of those who have died from domestic or family violence.

Hosted by Encircle, the vigils are held every May as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and will be a safe space for the community to gather and remember those who have lost their lives. 

The vigils will be held simultaneously at the Encircle Neighbourhood Centres at Kallangur, Pine Rivers and Redcliffe on Wednesday, May 1 from 5-6.30pm.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's event, Robyn from Encircle says the vigils will "send a clear message that violence in families and homes will not be tolerated” in the Moreton Bay community.

“Encircle is committed to ending violence in the community which is why we are starting the month with a candle lighting ceremony to honour and commemorate those killed by family violence,” Robyn says.

“The candle lighting ceremony has been held at the Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre for 14 years, and at the Kallangur Neighbourhood Centre and Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre for the past two years.

“We welcome all members of the public to be part of the ceremony and to pay their respects.

“The candle lighting ceremony is a free event that takes about 40 minutes, with light refreshments served afterwards.

“Different coloured candles are lit during the ceremony as symbols of healing, dignity, suffering, and hope.

“A minute’s silence is also held to remember those victims whose lives were taken due to domestic and family violence.”

Pay your respects

The candle lighting ceremonies will be held from 5-6.30pm at the following locations:

Encircle Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre

1 Lamington Drive, Redcliffe

Click here to book: https://events.humanitix.com/candle-lighting-ceremony-redcliffe

Encircle Kallangur Neighbourhood Centre

51 Marsden Road, Kallangur

Click here to book: https://events.humanitix.com/candle-lighting-ceremony-kallangur

Encircle Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre

865 Gympie Road, Lawnton

Click here to book: https://events.humanitix.com/candle-lighting-ceremony-pine-rivers

Bookings are essential to help with catering purposes.

Reach out for help

If you or someone you know needs help, there are plenty of services that can assist.

These include:

1800RESPECT

Phone: 1800 737 732

This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family, and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

DVConnect Womensline

Phone: 1800 811 811

This is a state-wide telephone service offering free professional and non-judgemental telephone support to women who are experiencing domestic or family violence. They can help women to obtain safe refuge accommodation, confidential counselling, and referral to other services.

They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

DVConnect Mensline

Phone: 1800 600 636

This is a state-wide telephone service offering free confidential counselling, referral and support to men affected by domestic and family violence seven days a week.

They are available from 9am-12 midnight.

Sexual Assault Helpline

Phone: 1800 010 120

This provides telephone support and counselling to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or abused, or for anyone who is concerned or suspects someone they care about might have been assaulted or abused.

They are available from 7.30am-11.30pm, seven days a week.

Kids Helpline

Phone: 1800 551 800

This is a national, free, private, and confidential phone and counselling service for young people aged between five and 25 years of age.

They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Lifeline

Phone: 13 11 14

This provides Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to crisis support and suicide prevention services.

They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.