One in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Domestic Violence is still a taboo subject across many communities - including the Tamil community.
Communities are now working to see what they can do to break this taboo and bring about a change.
Australian community group, Tamil Women's Development Group (TWDG) this month launched an online awareness campaign about Domestic Violence.
TWDG spokesperson Viji Dhayanathan says, "This campaign is designed to draw people's attention to this problem. Break the barriers and start a conversation with your friends and family."
What's involved?
As part of the campaign, the TWDG asked community members to display a candle with the "Light in My Window" pledge card in their home, workplace, schools or places of worship. It doesn't have to be a purple candle. The purple pledge card will reflect the purple color of the 16 days of activism period 25 November - 10 December.
"This light symbolizes the support to end domestic violence creating a safer community for all"
"At home, at work, with family and friends, or in the wider community, we can all do something to help reduce stigma around Domestic Violence and start the conversation and make way for more people to seek help and support," says TWDG Viji Dhayanathan.
As part of the campaign Viji and other members of the group organised community meetings with women of many different migrant backgrounds - not just Tamil - to distribute the candles and encourage them to speak out.
"Take a photo or video of your display and send it to tamilwdg@gmail.com so that we can post it in our Facebook. #TWDGlightinmywindow - MAKE A PLEDGE"
"Every community should accept and acknowledges this problem," says Dhayanathan. "To achieve that we should consider participating and also spread the word by circulating this Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign to our network."
"Help shed more light on Domestic Violence by making a pledge.
"Let's all unite to raise awareness and break the silence."
