Hello,
This edition discusses domestic and family violence.
Last Thursday, Wollongong held its annual Reclaim the Night rally. It raised awareness of domestic and family violence and honoured the women and children killed in Australia this year.
This report explores why events such as this are so important.
Today’s newsletter is 649 words, a 4.5 minute read.
Reclaiming the night
Wollongong Lighthouse illuminated in purple for Reclaim the Night | Image The Civic Report
Domestic and family violence is an issue in all Australian communities, and Wollongong is no exception.
NSW crime statistics show that there were more than 2,100 reported offences from July 2025 to June 2026 that were related to domestic and family violence in the Wollongong LGA. Police figures only include incidents that are reported, and many never are, so the real number is likely higher.
Nationally, 58 women and 27 children have been killed so far this year in violent circumstances, according to the Red Heart Movement.
And, honestly, I could spend a lot of space writing down more statistics here. They just keep growing.
Or I could look into and explain best-practice solutions, of which there are many. Or the state of funding for the sector, which everyone I spoke to said falls short of demand.
But I am not an expert in domestic and family violence.
Thankfully, there are many people who are experts that do amazing work at local organisations, including:
SASSI, a local not-for-profit that provides safety through housing and support to women and their children who are impacted by homelessness or domestic violence in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra.
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre, which provides specialised, individualised support to women recovering and healing from the trauma of domestic, family and sexual violence and abuse.
Some of the community who attended the Reclaim the Night Rally | Image The Civic Report
Instead, I want to talk about how events like Reclaim the Night help a community pull together.
The night brought together victim-survivors, experts, local leaders, and the broader community. The rally, marching from Andrew Lysaght Park up the hill towards the lighthouse, gave energy to a community who can feel overwhelmed, day to day, by the scale of what they’re up against.
The speeches gave a face and a voice to the lived experience of so many and put the reality of why we were there squarely in front: making sure these stories aren’t repeated.
The night ended with a candlelit ceremony and a minute’s silence for the women and children killed this year. It was an uncomfortable reminder that there is still a long way to go.
Lord Mayor Tania Brown officiated the speeches and ceremony, and Councillors Andrew Anthony, Thomas Quinn and Deidre Stuart also attended. When too many people side-step this issue because it is somehow deemed controversial or not worth it, leaders who show up matter.
Put together, it brought home the value of a night like this: it turns a problem that can feel overwhelming and individualised into something a whole community carries together.
Reclaim the Night is one night a year, but the work continues every day. If you want to help out locally, many of the links in this report accept donations, and some take volunteers. You can also contribute by learning the signs of violence, asking someone if they are okay, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.
We all have a part to play in making our community better.
Candles lit in honour of the women and children killed so far this year in violent circumstances | Image The Civic Report
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or chat at 1800respect.org.au.
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Talk soon,
Liam
