Over 300 Victorians came together to honour and remember those who have lost their lives to family and domestic violence, while standing in solidarity with victim-survivors, children and families impacted by violence.

While remembrance sits at the heart of the vigil, this year’s focus was on the often unseen ripple effects of family violence – particularly its long-term impact on children, young people and families. Safe Steps is shining a light on the enduring realities faced by those living beyond the point of crisis, deepening understanding of the full impact on families and helping to drive broader recognition and conversation about the far-reaching effects of violence.

In 2025, 77 Australian women and 26 children were killed by their parents or intimate partners (The Red Heart Campaign). So far in 2026, 14 women, three children and an unborn baby have been killed in Australia due to domestic or associated violence (Australian Femicide Watch).

As relates to young people,  1 in 8 people have witnessed violence towards a parent before the age of 15 (Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission), and these experiences can shape outcomes across a lifetime. Additionally, one-third of older teens have experienced intimate partner violence, while around 39% of sexual assault victims are aged between 10 and 17 (Australian Institute of Family Studies; Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Each statistic represents families and communities permanently altered; impacts that are often carried by children well into adulthood, but rarely fully measured.

Suzanne Paynter, Group Director, Safe Steps, said family violence does not end after someone has fled.

“The conversation is often focused on immediate crisis, but less understood is the long-term, intergenerational impact of family violence, particularly for children experiencing  violence, homelessness, disrupted education, trauma and ongoing instability.”

Demand for support continues to grow. Safe Steps has seen a 17% year-on-year increase in calls, responding to around 130,000 contacts in FY25 via phone, email and live chat, alongside an 83% rise in court support.

“Despite the prevalent nature of domestic and family violence, there is still a lack of support for children and young people who grow up experiencing family violence,” Suzanne Paynter said. 

“There are broader, often unseen ripple effects of family violence. It continues through generations and has immense long-term impacts on children and families”

“A lack of support for young people can lead to an increased likelihood of children and young people falling through the cracks into the homelessness and justice systems.”

“Among teens, trauma-related misbehaviour is often dismissed as ‘acting out’, overlooking the root cause. Actions such as running away from home or entering the criminal justice system can mask underlying issues at home. Without a deeper understanding, the impacts of family violence and trauma remain unseen.”

Payal Tiwari, Strategic Advisor at Safe Steps, is working with the organisation to help raise awareness and encourage victim-survivors and their families to seek support.

A senior technology and transformation executive, Payal now uses her lived experience to advocate for change, contributing to policy and system reform, including work across the Specialist Family Violence Court, the National Plan for Family Violence, and service design improvements such as chat functionality for Victoria Legal Aid.

“In my case, I was working as a National Director. I understood finance. I ran a business unit. I had people reporting to me. And yet… at home, family violence was occurring, and I didn’t know how to leave,” Payal said.

“When I did leave, it wasn’t easy. I had a home, but the judge told me I couldn’t stay there due to safety concerns. I had to leave.”

“And through calling 1800RESPECT, I was connected to Safe Steps. I hadn’t even heard of them before. But at the time I needed it most, they showed up. My son and I spent close to a month in crisis accommodation.”

Payal’s experience reflects a broader reality that leaving is not the end of the story.

“Family violence doesn’t stop when you leave. In my case, it meant years in the legal system, over 20 court hearings. It was exhausting. It was relentless. I had to start over financially, mentally and physically,” Payal said.

Over time, that experience became something more.

“Because leaving is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of rebuilding a life. What starts as survival can turn into thriving. And that space in between, I call that thrival.”

“If we are serious about change, we need to focus on three things: prevention, crisis support and recovery.”

Her experience also challenges common assumptions about who family violence affects.

“I had the privilege. I speak English. I’m well-educated. I had a tech career. And even with that… it was hard to leave. So imagine those without those advantages,” Payal said.

“Strength shouldn’t have to come from crisis.”

“To spark real change, we must first recognise and address the long-term impacts of family violence on children and young adults,” Suzanne Paynter said.

Iconic buildings across Melbourne, including Melbourne Town Hall, AAMI Park, Old Treasury Building Museum and Myer Melbourne, light up purple in a show of solidarity.

Safe Steps provides Victoria’s only 24/7 inclusive, confidential family and domestic violence crisis support service, supporting victim-survivors in high-risk situations and helping them access safety and ongoing support.