Purple Bench Micro Grants
The generosity of Linkwest, EEO Equal Opportunity Specialists and the Loftus Community Centre Management Committee funded a further 20 Purple Bench Micro Grants in 2022 and 2023.
The Linkwest Purple Bench Micro Grants assist Linkwest member Centres with the cost of materials to transform an existing bench, or to subsidise the cost of purchasing a new bench. Placing a purple bench outside a Centre is a permanent reminder that Centres are safe and confidential spaces for women, while also honouring people in our communities who have lost their life to domestic violence. Purple benches were launched in 2015 in Canada, where they are located in public parks to honour the memory of women murdered by their partners and to provide help for people experiencing domestic violence.
"The purple bench is an important addition to our Centre. The domestic and family violence statistics are alarming. It’s important to raise awareness as well as honour those victims killed as a result of DFV. The plaque also reminds anyone coming into our centre that we are a safe space and that there are organisations that can offer support and advice." - Doubleview House
"As a small rural community we benefit from supporting each other and to commemorate and honour victims of domestic violence in our public space is an important reminder for all members of our community." - Augusta Community Resource Centre
Our network of Centres is part of a growing footprint of purple benches across Western Australia, providing a highly visible reminder and call to action on the issue of domestic violence in our communities. This Linkwest micro grant program has now helped with the installation of more than 60 purple benches at Centres across WA so far.
If you, or someone you know is impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence 1800RESPECT.org.au or 1800737732 is available for free 24 hours a day 7 days a week for confidential support.