We say no to family violence

Tomorrow there will be a Say No to Domestic Violence Walk at 11.30am from Tesch Park to the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.

Many of us will walk and bear witness to the fact that domestic violence exists in our community; and we don't like it - in fact we say no more domestic violence in all its forms in our local and the wider community.

Over the last few years, thanks to Fiona, Fair Agenda, Destroy the Joint, Counting Dead Women, White Ribbon Day and MNC, I have become aware of facts associated with violence in the home. One fact that grinds away is that every week of the year at least one women is murdered in Australia by a member of her own household - most often her male partner or her former male partner.

A couple of years ago it was the equivalent of 1 per week; then last year it as1.5 per week; and so far this year it has been 2 per week.

I have made 52 purple crosses with red cords. The purple represents women; the crosses represents murdered women; and the red cord represents the violence of their deaths.

©2015 Barry Smith - 52 crosses - 52 weeks of the year in which women are murdered - and we call it domestic violence!!!!

Too many women are murdered in their own home by people they should be loved by; respected by ; and nurtured by. These murders should never happen; and it should stop.

©2015 Barry Smith - 52 crosses representing too many dead women.

We need to name true deaths of these women for what they are - they are murders. We, our community, our governments, our law enforcers; and our legal system.

We will also celebrate the resilience and courage of women who surveyed abusive relationships; protected their children; and gone on to live positive, productive and valuable lives in our community.