Record crowd rallies in Warwick to support DV victims
WARWICK residents are taking a defiant stand against domestic violence with a record crowd publicly offering support this week.
About 100 people attended the Warwick Safe Haven Inc peace walk and candlelight vigil on Wednesday night, a significant increase from the 60 participants last year.
Warwick Safe Haven president Bette Bonney said many young people and community groups were part of the crowd.
"The Warwick community has really done well to have that number of people, comparable with other regional centres and Brisbane,” she said.
"They are recognising that there is an opportunity to come together and say we don't approve of violence and want to do something about it.”
Domestic violence survivor Holly Winter and Warwick sport and community figure Keith Clarke were guest speakers at the event.
Founder of Live in Your Light and a consultant with the Griffith University Violence Research and Prevention Program, Ms Winter told the crowd she cried on the way to her first job interview after escaping an abusive relationship.
But she was awarded the job and, three years later, she runs workshops designed to help other women gain clarity and live their best lives.
"If we write our own story, we can write our ending,” Ms Winter said.
A poignant moment in the vigil was the lighting of candles to remember victims of domestic violence.
To conclude, the crowd gathered to voice a declaration never to commit, excuse or remain silent about any form of domestic violence.
