MORE than 400 people took part in the Castlemaine Reclaim the Night vigil for Eurydice Dixon on Tuesday night.
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Organiser Marion Yates arranged the event to encourage the community to come together and take a stand against sexual violence towards women.
“The Castlemaine vigil for Eurydice Dixon is about honouring this young woman, holding a candle for the brutal loss of this single woman to male violence, but it is not only for Eurydice,” Ms Yates said.
“The (alleged) murder of Eurydice is a catalyst for our community to come together, to hold space for women, to have important conversations – both women and men – to take a stand together against all forms of gendered violence towards women.
“Women are far more likely to be sexually assaulted, raped or murdered in their own homes, by someone they know, than in a public place by a stranger.
“The vigil is for every woman."
Speakers included representatives from the Centre for Non Violence, the Loddon Campaspe Centre Against Sexual Assualt, Castlemaine Community House, Mount Alexander Shire Council and local advocates working in the space of prevention of violence towards women.
Ms Yates also paid tribute to the 30 women murdered in Australia this year by men. Following the names of the victims being read out, a five-minute silent vigil was held.
“It was the wish of Eurydice's family that she was honoured in this way. And we wished to honour all of the women lost to male violence in the home as well as in public spaces,” Ms Yates said
Singer-songwriter Kavisha Mazzella closed the event with a community singalong to her song Love and Justice, Women’s Anthem, which was composed in 2008 to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage.
“Kavisha believes very strongly in the healing power of community singing to together,” Ms Yates said.
To seek support contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. You can also phone Loddon Campaspe Centre Against Sexual Assault on 1800 806 292.
Organiser praises town’s ability to support and care
The strength of a community was on display on Tuesday night in Marion Yates’ eyes.
Ms Yates helped organise the Castlemaine Reclaim the Night vigil for Eurydice Dixon and said it was a testament to how supportive the town is.
“We pulled this together in three days and it’s a testament to a community that is so connected, supportive and caring,” she said.
“The local Reclaim the Night community (in Castlemaine) has about 400 women involved, which is massive for a town of this size.
“We support each other in various projects and a couple of women who are relatively new to town wanted to do a local vigil.”
Ms Yates organised Castlemaine’s first Reclaim the Night Rally three years ago following a local incident where a woman was threatened with rape by a group of men.
“There was a big upsurge in the community to do something,” she said. “Since then I have been working in the space of activism against gendered violence.”
More than 400 people attended Tuesday night’s vigil in Victory Park, Castlemaine.