Purple bench a visual reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence

A PARK bench near the entrance to the Kwinana Recquatic was painted purple as a visual reminder of the prevalence of domestic and family violence.

The commemorative bench has a plaque that also lists support numbers for people to call.

The bench is among several across Perth organised by the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA) in partnership with local governments to honour all victims of domestic and family violence.

Mayor Carol Adams said WA has seen an increase in domestic violence in the past decade, with WA identified as having the nation’s highest family and domestic violence rates, according to the 2018 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report.

“We hope this bench will be a visual reminder of the prevalence of Family and Domestic Violence and that it may also offer a place of quiet reflection for those who have been impacted, directly or indirectly, by Domestic Violence,” she said.

Crime statistics from the WA Police website show a total of 254 domestic and family violence offences within the City of Kwinana in the year to date.

This includes threatening behaviour toward family members and assaults on family members.

For help, contact the Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 007 339 or the Men’s Domestic Violence helpline on 1800 000 599.

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