TWO purple benches to honour those who have lost their lives to domestic violence have been installed in the Joondalup city centre.
They are located on Boas Avenue near the Joondalup Library and outside Lotteries House, with the colour purple associated worldwide with the domestic violence awareness movement.
They also feature a plaque encouraging people experiencing family and domestic violence to seek advice and support.
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READ NOWThe initiative is part of a statewide partnership between local governments and the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WCDFVS) with many benches being installed in public spaces in WA.
“We are extremely pleased that local governments like Joondalup have embraced the purple benches initiative through which we can honour victims of domestic violence and provide essential crisis line numbers to those in need,” WCDFVS chief executive Angela Hartwig said.
The latest data from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner, and one man a month is killed due to domestic and family violence.
In 2018, 69 women were killed in Australia by acts of violence, mostly perpetrated by a current or former partner.
For advice and support, contact the Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline on 9233 1188, free call 1800 007 339 or visit www.womenscouncil.com.au.