Spreading Awareness

Brunswick Street will light up next Wednesday's balmy evening, the mall hosting this year's Amnesty Queer Rights Network Anti-Violence Vigil.

The event, featuring speakers such as Reverends Lee Neighbour and Lance Meergard and prominent community activist Gai Lemon, will help uncover the controversial issue of violence in same-sex relationships.

"The research shows domestic violence in same sex relationships runs at about the same level as it does in heterosexual relationships. It is equally a problem for people in same-sex relationships as it is for people in inter-sex relationships," said organizer Michael Hayworth.

"All violence of this nature is an abuse of human rights. The idea behind the vigil is to highlight and raise public awareness about gender violence and also same sex violence in same-sex relationships."

The vigil is part of the international 19 days of action against domestic violence, held by Amnesty International. Mr Hayworth said the vigil would serve as an extension of the work that the Australian government has already done towards protecting the rights of women and members of same-sex couples.

"It's obviously all relative when we are talking about all domestic violence. In order to prevent domestic violence in same-sex relationships there needs to be a focus on education and a focus on public awareness," he said.

"There needs to be a solid and coordinated provision of services to support survivors, and a strong level of coordination to help people with the prosecution of domestic violence perpetrators."

The vigil represents a step in the right direction in terms of providing this necessary education and awareness of domestic abuse in Australia, said Mr Hayworth, and he hopes more events like this will be arranged in the future.

Those wanting to take part in the vigil should meet at Brunswick street mall at 4:30, this coming Wednesday, November the 26th.

By James Brindley