“A memorial in the city would not only provide a reminder and acknowledgment of the lives lost due to domestic violence, it would reinforce to all, the importance of education and prevention programs supported at the local, state and national level to reduce violence against women.

Catherine House believes that supporting a Domestic Violence Memorial will send a strong message of respect and regard for the safety and lives of women 5 council and all women that visit live or work in this beautiful city.”

— Catherine House

“The Coalition for Men Supporting Non-Violence is a community group whose members are committed to the primary prevention of men’s violence against women.

On behalf of the Coalition Committee I wish to voice support for the establishment of a Domestic Violence Memorial within the City of Adelaide.

Domestic Violence has rightly been described as a “national crisis”. As the leading causes of death, disability and injury to women aged 15 to 44 years, it continues to have a horrific impact on the lives of countless thousands of women and children and our community as a whole.

The establishment of a memorial would be a powerful acknowledgement of the impact of domestic violence on those who have suffered to date as well as reinforcing the importance of continuing to work on addressing this issue into the future.

Our Committee thoroughly endorses the proposal to establish a memorial for this purpose.”

— The Coalition for Men Supporting Non-Violence

“Ms Oxenham knows firsthand the impact of domestic violence on women and familiar who have had to endure it. As a daughter of a violent father, it was her own personal experiences of domestic violence that drove her to set up South Australians second women’s shelter in 1972. Our community and very fabric of our social history is indebted to her selfless determination.

She continues to work tirelessly to raise awareness about domestic violence, nit it is her desire for a monument to remember those who have experienced it and those that have taken a stand that truly inspires and offers hope. A monument speaks to a changed narrative in our community – collectively – seeks to not repeat the mistakes of our past. A monument would also recognise the inspiring individuals and organisations who have dedicated their lives to helping those affected by domestic violence.”

— Katrine Hilyard – Member for Reynell

“The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is committed to supporting victims and families affected by domestic violence. We have a domestic violence Framework for Action and are currently working towards achieving White Ribbon Accreditation .

We believe that building an increased awareness of domestic violence within Council and the Community will help develop a better understanding and recognition of what domestic violence is and the many forms it can take.”

— The City of Port Adelaide Enfield

“Domestic Violence does not discriminate. Women from every race, ethnicity and culture are affected by this despicable act against them and their children. Each and every one of us know of someone who has been affected either personally or through association to family violence. This cannot and should not continue, it must be eliminated from our society. The Multicultural Communities Council of SA (MCCSA) through our programs continues to raise awareness about domestic violence and respectful behaviour amongst culturally and linguistically diverse communities. MCCSA supports the establishment of a tribute to the survivors of DFV, the Place of Courage, as this will ensure we are reminded of the many lives lost and the need for us to keep the issue front and centre, ensuring that all women and children are able to live in a safe community. MCCSA is the peak body in South Australia, supporting multicultural communities for over 45 years.”

— MCCSA

“Domestic violence (DV), which predominantly affects women, leads to abhorrent outcomes.

AWHN is a health promotion advocacy organisation that provides a national voice on women’s health, base in informed consultation with members. The organization’s National Board has representatives from all Australian States and Territories and a membership base of 157 organisations and individuals drawn from across the country. As AWHN is not funded we have no financial capacity to contribute to funding such a project. However, we view a Domestic Violence Memorial as an important community project recommend it be funded by Adelaide City Council, the State and Federal Governments.

We urge the council to support this important project.”

— Australian Women’s House Network

“Domestic Violence is a serious social problem that has devasted the personal lives of so many thousands of South Australiana, particularly women and girls. IN this context, we particularly note the tragic effects of domestic violence resulting in the loss of life.

Trended downwards in the ten years leading to 2012, we are alarmed by the more recent and pronounced reverse trend in SA, when deaths have increased sixfold in the last four years. We are also concerned that DV accounts for almost half of all homicides and related offences.

We acknowledge the work being undertaken at the State and federal level to reduce violence against women and their children, and fell that a memorial to women who have died as a result of DV is another course of action that may be taken to help reduce violence. Such a memorial, or monument, would remind us of the lives lost, as well as inform and warn us of the dangers of domestic violence.”

— WILPF USA

“Many approaches are required, all of which in various ways require a public awareness and discussion of the effect of domestic violence on the lives and families of those who are victims as well as to the community and for future generations. A Memorial may assist survivors by giving them a place they can visit easily and be able to mourn and help them in their healing processes: it can increase public awareness of the issue; it can become a focal point for meeting and conversations on the topic it can attract the attention of the visitors and passers-by to the issue.”

— Hon Robyn Layton AO QC
Adjunct Professor, School of Law – University of South Australia

“The prevalence of domestic and family violence in Australia is alarming. A woman dies every week at the hands of her current or former intimate partner and domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children. A lack of affordability in the private rental market prevents people living on low incomes from establishing or re-establishing a household after fleeing a domestic violence situation, especially when there is only one adult income earner living on a low income. Domestic violence negatively impacts individuals, families and communities and is perpetuated by gender inequality.”

— Shelter SA

“National Council of Women SA is a not- for -profit organisation and is affiliated with of the National Council of Women of Australia.

With  NCWSA’s rich history, its diverse and strong membership and representation of issues facing women and families, the issues around domestic and family violence, including but not limited to physical, psychological and emotional abuse, sexual assault and the ongoing affects for the victims and their families, are matters with which NCWSA is sadly all too familiar.

The occurrence of domestic and family violence in Australia predominantly affects women, with “four times as many female victims (4,534) as male victims (1,157) in South Australia”1 recorded in 2014.

Included in this statistical record from 2014 (1ABS, 2016) are family and domestic violence related homicide offences (5 victims; 3 per million); family and domestic violence-related assault offences (5,691 victims; 338 victims per 100,000 persons); family and domestic violence-related sexual assault offences (249 victims; 15 victims per 100,000 persons).

With violence, such as domestic and family violence so prevalent, and being perpetrated against women from all backgrounds, the National Council of Women SA believes that it is significant and vital to support the establishment of a memorial to remember and honour the victims of such violence. And, of course, we remember the victims who remain a part of a situation whereby they are still affected by the actions committed against them or family members.”

— National Council of Women SA

“It is my belief that a similar size Memorial as the Deceased Workers Memorial Wall for those who had their lives impacted by domestic violence would provide a meeting place as well as offer a way of speaking to the needs of the community stating that domestic violence has no welcome in our modern society.”

— Work Injured Resource Connection Inc.

“Uniting Communities is an organisation that has worked around responding to violence and abuse of women for many many years. On behalf of Uniting Communities I wish to lend my support to your project for a formal memorial in Adelaide, whatever shape it takes. We need to keep in front of the community stories which challenge men to stop using violence against women and children.”

— Peter McDonald Executive Advocacy and Community Relations, White Ribbon Ambassador

“In Australia last year 103 women were killed in domestic violence-related murders – almost two per week. In South Australia alone there were almost 6,000 recorded victims of domestic and family violence in 2015, but because most victims don’t report their abuse to the police, the true number is far higher. Violence against women has been estimated to cost Australia $21.7 billion per year.

Domestic violence is a gendered issue, with the vast majority of the death, injury and trauma burden borne by women. Junction Australia supports activities to promote gender equity in our society and to prevent negative attitudes toward women that can foster and condone violence and abuse. This requires a community-wide effort. Junction Australia believes that a memorial in Adelaide will help to promote recognition of the problem and prompt discussion about the many ways we can all act to help prevent domestic violence. The memorial will provide a quiet place of remembrance and reflection to consider those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, the devastating effects of domestic violence. We believe that the memorial would also send a message to our citizens that the City of Adelaide does not condone or tolerate violence against women and their children.

Junction Australia is pleased to hear of the plan to establish a Domestic Violence Memorial in Adelaide and we are glad to be able to support such an endeavour.”

— Junction Australia