About 100 Australian women and children die annually because of family violence despite increased attention to the issue.

Magnolia Place, Launceston Women’s Shelter chief executive Jenny said the organisation would hold the event because the majority of families accessing its accommodation had been affected by partner violence.

“At Magnolia Place LWS we remember all of the women and children who for over 40 years have needed to access the safety of the shelter because they weren’t safe to be in their own home because of violence in the home,” she said. 

“We light candles along with the rest of Australia to remember the women and children who were not fortunate enough to find a safe place to be and lost their lives.

“Living in a ‘home’ that doesn’t feel safe destroys a person’s self-esteem, changes who they are and for both women and children can have a detrimental effect for the rest of their lives if they don’t manage to get away from the perpetrator and receive ongoing support and counselling.

“For some women, leaving isn’t the end of that if their partner continues the abuse through stalking, or using the children as a weapon against the mother.”

Candle lighting ceremonies will be held at the same time throughout Australia. The Launceston vigil will be held in Prince’s Square, Launceston, from 6pm.