A new installation at Stockland Green Hills will shine a spotlight on the devastating impacts of domestic violence against women in the Hunter.
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Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison, who is also Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and acting Minister for Women, opened the Shoes for Thought installation on Sunday.
“We need to work every day to pull violence out of the corners, to put a light on it and save lives,” she said.
“What makes it speaks to me is the thought of putting on those shoes and walking for a moment in those women’s footsteps.
“Everyday of their lives going to a home where violence is a regular occurrence, and ultimately losing their lives. The impact on their children, families, friends and colleague – it is an ongoing scar on our community.
“We need to work hard to stop that, and support our local domestic violence services.”
Spearheaded by the Maitland Domestic Violence Committee with Carrie’s Place and Hunter Women’s Network alongside, the Stockland Green Hills installation will run for just over two weeks until December 10.
The installation will see shoes placed in the middle of Stockland Green Hills representing the Australian women who have died from domestic violence this year.
It will also encourages other women who have been affected by domestic violence to lay a pair of shoes.
Maitland Domestic Violence Committee secretary Ang Endersby said the installation aimed to “hit home”,a and push people to think about the impacts of domestic violence.
“It’s about encouraging community members to donate shoes who know someone who has been impacted by domestic violence. The shoes will be donated at the end of the installation,” she said.
There are currently three collections points for donated shoes including Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison’s office, Carrie’s Place HQ and real estate agency David Haggarty First National.
