Shoes tell of tales of violence
12:00a.m. 7th May 2009
Poignant Image:Rememberance Day ceremony at the Loo With a View at Mooloolaba Beach represent lives lost to domestic violence. Photo:Brett Wortman/182441
Their paths probably never even crossed.
They lived in different places in Queensland and had different lives.
But the 43 people who were represented by pairs of shoes along Mooloolaba Beach last night shared one tragic thing in common.
They all died as a result of domestic violence.
Shoes were laid along the beach to mark Remembrance Day, which is held on the first Wednesday of each May as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month.
Each pair of shoes was placed for a person who died from domestic violence in Queensland in 2006 or 2007.
The list included a 72 year old woman, a 17 year old girl, an 18 month old boy and a three week old male.
A director of Sunshine Coast organisation Worthy Cause, Cherie Conrad, said last night’s event was held to honour those who had died from domestic violence, but its purpose was also to celebrate life.
“Peace begins in our families, so the event is about honouring and celebrating those who have had the courage to break free from domestic and family violence,” she said.
Ms Conrad said domestic violence was still a major problem in our society, and it was no more or less prominent on the Sunshine Coast than anywhere else.
“It is still not being taken as seriously by the community as it needs to be,” she said.
“What we need is a zero tolerance of it.
“We need people to say this is not good enough, and report it when they know about it.”
Ms Conrad said domestic violence was not only physical, it could also be emotional and sexual violence.
A victim of domestic violence, who asked to remain anonymous, said events like the one held at Mooloolaba Beach last night were important to get the issue in the public sphere.
“It’s extremely important because another aspect of the situation is the fear,” she said.
“You don’t talk to people about it, you think it’s somehow your fault and you cover up it up even when you realise this is not right because your thinking has totally been manipulated.”
Help is available for people affected by domestic violence.
DV Connect can be contacted on 1800 811 811 or Mensline can be reached on 1300 789 978.
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