The Place of Courage – Why it will heal, connect, and educate our community
In 2010, Australian Commonwealth and State Governments committed to a partnership to reduce violence against women and children (Lauschon, 2019). But alas in 2020, domestic violence, and by its nature family violence, continues to rise. On average, one woman per week is killed by her current or former partner. So, what needs to change?
From the shadows into the light
One promising primary intervention is bringing domestic and family violence (DFV) into a public space. This is critical in stopping the habitual reinforcement of violence behind closed doors. The Place of Courage is the first Australian public art space dedicated to engaging, educating, and galvanising all members of Australian communities. It is a permanent symbol of survival and an acknowledgement of the contagion of DFV and gives future generations¹ a focal point for change.
Acknowledging and healing the pain
Another critical element which The Place of Courage brings is “the voices of the people who lived through abuse in their homes”.² Spirit of Woman surveyed 600 survivors in Adelaide across the domestic violence, homelessness, and community sectors. Respondents unanimously supported a public space to bear witness to their stories. It is a space where survivors and their families can choose when and how they wish to remember, and the purposes they assign to each visit. It enables the expression of “solidarity and closeness, to mourn and grieve”.³
In tandem with remembering and healing, The Place of Courage offers future generations a mechanism and space to learn, talk, commemorate, and facilitate healing from domestic and family violence. The most potent message The Place of Courage gives to survivors and their families is that they are not alone. Children growing up in homes where violence occurs need support to talk about the impact of observing the violence, how to process their emotions, and heal at their own pace.¹
One of many interventions
Recovery from this type of violence takes time. The Place of Courage is one path amongst many ways to heal. It is a unique, individual experience made acceptable and supported in a safe public space which facilitates dialogue between parents and children, siblings, schools, educators, child care centres, community centres and community members from diverse cultures and all walks of life. It is a public space that belongs to the community, free from societal pressures.³
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¹Heusmann, L.R. (2011). The Contagion of Violence: The extent, the processes and the outcomes. Forum on Global Violence Prevention; Board on Global Health; Institute of Medicine, National Research Council. USA: National Academies Press.
²Lauschon, E. (2019). Domestic violence still at “unprecedented” levels despite hundreds of millions being spent. ABC News Online, accessed online 23/11/2020, https//www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-05/
³Misolevic, A. (2018). Observing Memories. European Observatory on Memories; accessed online 23/11/2020 https://www.europeanmemories.net/magazine.