HEDLAND SAYS 'NO' TO FAMILY VIOLENCE MARCH 2024

A rally highlighting family violence was held in South Hedland this week.

Tony Huckerby, Hedland’s local photographer, said domestic violence is not just physical

“It can also be verbal. And that can just be as intimidating as striking somebody. I hope things get better for women that are suffering”.

About two years ago, an Aboriginal woman from the Pilbara lost her life due to domestic violence after her partner bashed her, punching her 40 times before she died in a car park in Yagan Square

The man named Aaron Leyton was jailed for four years but not charged with murder as the cause of death was deemed as a heart attack due to already existing underlying heart disease.

Mr Leyton faces tribunal punishment when he returns to the Pilbara community.

The verdict angered the local community and the family of the victim.

Aunty Lorraine, mother of the victim, said the whole family and community are grieving, and the verdict is a slap on the wrist.

On May 8th, 2024, The Hedland community in the Pilbara joined forces at the ‘Hedland Says No to Family Violence’ event to foster community support and promote safety, where Aunty Lorraine was also present.

Many people gathered together to talk about domestic violence and marched through South Hedland to make a statement in the community.

Kesi-Marie Prior, Culture Care Connect Coordinator for the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance, said we need to make changes.

“We need to stand up and advocate a very strong message that we have zero tolerance to violence of any kind, particularly violence impacts on women and children,

We all have a role to play in creating a safe place for children and everyone’’.