Centacare Brisbane, in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council, continues to lead a powerful community initiative aimed at preventing domestic and family violence through its annual march and candlelight vigil. These gatherings unite hundreds of residents, spanning all age groups, to show intergenerational solidarity against abuse.
On 7 May 2025, more than 300 people, including families, young people, local leaders, and the Sunshine Coast Lightning athletes, came together in Maroochydore to mark the start of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. Under the rallying theme “Don’t stand by, stand up,” the event emphasised collective responsibility and action.
The vigil featured representation from diverse community sectors including local council, sports, youth groups, and centred on intergenerational voices. A highlight was the involvement of Sunshine Coast Lightning stars Tara Hinchliffe and Mahalia Cassidy, who highlighted the significant role athletes play in modelling respectful relationships for youth.
Centacare Sunshine Coast Area Manager Adam Beck emphasised how the event blends education, advocacy, and personal accountability across age groups to break cycles of violence. He also noted that upcoming legal changes including coercive control becoming a criminal offence in Queensland from 26 May 2025, underscore the importance of deepening community understanding about non-physical forms of abuse.
The intergenerational approach is woven through various aspects of the event:
- Youth engagement: Local school students designed awareness t-shirts and took part in the march, merging youthful energy with community messaging.
- Family inclusion: Families marched together, reinforcing the message that domestic violence affects all generations.
- Shared reflection: A candlelight vigil saw candles placed on shoes – symbolically representing women and children lost to violence creating a visually poignant moment across age divides.
Service statistics further illustrate Centacare’s generational impact: in 2024 they delivered over 12,000 hours of counselling, supported more than 7,000 women, and received upwards of 5,000 referrals for domestic and family violence assistance. Their work includes risk assessment, safety planning, psychosocial support, group education, and court advocacy – serving multiple generations within the community.
This initiative is part of Centacare’s ongoing commitment to the “Everyone has the right to feel safe” vision, addressing the many forms of violence—physical, financial, emotional, spiritual—that affect people of all ages
Source: Centacare Brisbane News