Safe Steps Candlelight Vigil:
Honouring Lives and Inspiring Hope

About the Vigil

The Safe Steps Candlelight Vigil takes place yearly on the first Wednesday in May – National Family Violence Remembrance Day – during Domestic Violence Prevention Month.

Led by courageous survivors and passionate advocates, the Safe Steps Candlelight Vigil brings Victoria together in a powerful tribute to honour and remember the people whose lives have been lost to family and domestic violence.

The Vigil plays a crucial role in raising awareness by providing a platform for sharing stories of resilience, sparking hope and inspiring change. With Family violence incidents continuing to rise, with Victoria Police recording 106,430 incidents in FY2025 (up from 98,811 in FY2024), the vigil play a role in empowering help-seekers to access support before it’s too late, helping to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and prevent further loss of life.

Express your interest

Watch highlights from the 2026 Candlelight Vigil

In 2026, more than 350 people gathered with us, to stand with victim-survivors on their healing journey. Please watch and share our highlight reel, letting the voices of lived experience guide us toward a safer future.

Why your support matters

Every action counts. Every voice matters.
Together, we can honour those lost and have hope for a future where there is no more family and domestic violence.

Donate Now

Everyone Deserves To Feel Safe

No one experiencing family or domestic violence should suffer alone. Safe Steps is here for everyone experiencing family or domestic violence in Victoria, providing crisis support and pathways to safety – 24/7, every day of the year.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, contact Safe Steps 24/7 on 1800 015 188, Live Chat at safesteps.org.au/live-chat or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au

Safe Steps respectfully acknowledges and celebrates the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Victoria and pays respects to their Elders of past, current and future generations.

Safe Steps is committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and equity are embedded throughout our organisation for the benefit of our clients and our staff. We are committed to a focus on recognising and eliminating discrimination in the services we deliver. Read our Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Statement here.

Safe Steps is committed to creating and maintaining a Child Safe Organisation; ensuring obligations to meet the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme requirements, as codified by the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic). You can read more about this commitment in our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy here.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is supported by the Victorian Government.

Safe Steps respectfully acknowledges and celebrates the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Victoria and pays respects to their Elders of past, current and future generations.