Help us raise $450,000
To Create
The Place of Courage
Australia’s first public tribute to the victims and survivors of domestic and family violence.
Donate now and pay tribute to those impacted.
Celebrating Our Founder, Helen Oxenham:
A Champion of Social Welfare and Advocacy
We are immensely proud to announce that our esteemed Founder, Helen Oxenham, has been awarded the prestigious Key to the City of Onkaparinga recognition of her exceptional dedication to serving our community through transformative social welfare initiatives and unwavering advocacy.
Helen's tireless efforts have uplifted countless lives and served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for us all. Her visionary leadership and profound commitment to making a meaningful difference have left an indelible mark on our organization and the communities we serve.
This honour is a testament to Helen's remarkable compassion, resilience, and visionary leadership. We are profoundly grateful for her exemplary guidance and unwavering dedication to creating positive change in the world.
UPCOMING ‘RIPPLE’ LAUNCH
Our Mission
Our mission is to commission The Place of Courage at Tulya Wardli/Bonython Park, alongside ‘Ripple’ artworks and community spaces throughout South Australia that pay tribute to those who have suffered from domestic and family violence.
The Place of Courage is the inspiration of Helen Oxenham OAM, Founder of Spirit of Woman.
The Place of Courage will be a place to…
The Place of Courage will be a space for:
Everyone – All community members, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQI, and all culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee communities who want to mourn, find solace, heal, or share their stories.
Education – Multicultural community and school education programs, community gatherings and school field trips designed to educate about the impact of DFV and what can be done to reduce it in our communities.
Prevention programs – In partnership with local service providers, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous and multicultural organisations, schools, and the general public, to develop strategies to reduce DFV in our communities.
Community gatherings – Vigils, community events, protests and marches to acknowledge, own and reflect on the tragedy of DFV and to change the discourse to stop the blame and shame.
Future generations – To heal, to end the intergenerational cycle, and to pledge not to perpetuate it in the future.
Creating The Place of Courage Together
Help us raise $450,000 to establish The Place of Courage in Adelaide’s Tulya Wardli / Bonython Park.
To publicly acknowledge the traumatic and ongoing impact domestic and family violence has in our communities
To establish a permanent, public, and beautiful tribute to those who have died and still suffer
To publicly own domestic and family violence as a community issue
To provide a space that can break the cycle, change the discourse, and make a difference
Here are six ways you can help
Know the stats – they’re shocking but true
• One woman each week is killed by domestic homicide
• One child each fortnight is killed by a parent
• 17 women a day are hospitalised from domestic violence
• Almost 700 reports of domestic violence are reported to police every day.*
You can help to make a difference.
*Natasha Stott Despoja, National Press Club
Why we need The Place of Courage
Watch the video
"I am pleased to support The Place of Courage project - the first of its kind here in Australia. It is so very important for victims of family violence and their families to share their experiences safely so that they can recover and move forward with their lives."
– Rosie Batty, OA
Keep up to date with Spirit of Woman news and events by joining our mailing list
