Women’s Aid candlelight vigil offers chance for reflection

A CANDLELIGHT vigil held in Lerwick as part of a campaign against gender-based violence is planned to become an annual event.

Shetland Women’s Aid hosted the vigil at the flower park pavilion on Tuesday evening to give people the chance to remember women whose lives were taken by gender-based violence, and stand in solidarity with women and children who have lived through abuse.

Photo: Shetland Women’s Aid

Photo: Shetland Women’s Aid

Shetland Women’s Aid prevention education and community engagement practitioner Ashlea Tulloch also said the reflective event also aimed to recognise the “strength and resilience of those who have survived”.

It was held as part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

“We organised the vigil because we knew that many people in Shetland wanted a way to pay their respects and acknowledge the harm caused by violence against women in our community,” she explained.

“It mattered to folk to come together, to stand with survivors, and to honour the women whose lives have been taken too early.”

Tulloch said that despite the poor weather, the pavilion was busy throughout the evening.

She added that people were “arriving continuously to light candles, reflect and show that abuse has no place here”.

“We plan to hold this event annually during the 16 Days of Activism, however our work to end gender-based violence continues all year round,” Tulloch said.

If you have been affected by domestic abuse in Shetland, you can contact Shetland Women’s Aid for free, confidential support and information. Phone 01595 692070, email office@shetlandwa.org, or visit www.shetlandwa.org. In an emergency, please call 999.

The Compass Centre provides free, inclusive, and confidential support and information to anyone, of any gender (age 13+), in Shetland affected by any form of sexual violence. It can be contacted on 01595 747 174 or contact@compasscentre.org.