By JOLENE OGLE
LOCAL musician and domestic violence survivor Lease Vasey has joined the fight to raise awareness of family violence in our community.
Lease will perform tomorrow night at Noosa Marina’s Night of Hope, a candle lighting ceremony to honour those who have lost their lives as a result of domestic and family violence.
The event is part of Family and Domestic Violence awareness month, which aims to educate and open discussion about this community issue.
For Lease, the cause couldn’t be closer to her heart.
“I was involved in a domestic violence relationship myself, about 12 years ago,” she said.
“It means a great deal to me to be able to support and educate others about domestic violence.”
Lease said she was “one of the lucky ones”, leaving the relationship before it turned fatal.
“For some of the unlucky ones, it got about as bad as it could be with them losing their lives,” she said.
“I am one of the lucky ones and I want people to know there is an amazing support network out there for them if they take that step.
“I also want people to know they are not alone because when you are in a domestic violence relationship, you really do feel alone.”
Lease said she hoped the event would help victims “speak out and have the courage to reach out for help sooner rather than later”.
“I know from experience that shame, fear and feeling so alone stopped me from doing just that for a long time.”
Noosa Marina’s Night of Hope is on this Friday night, from 6pm at the Noosa Marina, 2 Parkyn Court, Tewantin. The event is free and there will be a candle lighting ceremony, live entertainment and guest speakers.
For more information phone 5430 9300.
