The funds went to Stacey's Sanctuary and The RED HEART Campaign
Melmark Law has hosted the first No Place to Go event to raise funds for women and children’s housing.
The South Yarra event raised a total of $5,788 in urgent funds that will go to Stacey’s Sanctuary and The RED HEART Campaign, which provides women and children escaping from abusive relationships with secure housing, advocacy and support. Stacey’s Sanctuary is an apartment that serves as a temporary shelter for domestic abuse survivors.
According to Melmark Law, the fundraiser, which was held on 1 October, brought together survivor advocates, lawyers and community leaders.
“No Place to Go was about more than fundraising. It was about educating people because family violence doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone, in any community, and we have to start talking about it openly”, said principal lawyer Melanie Vairawanathan, who served as the event host. “By educating and having these conversations, we are not only supporting survivors today, but we are also helping raise a future generation that knows violence is never okay, and that every person deserves safety, dignity, and love”.
She explained that this translated to lawyers becoming more informed in their practice, “recognising the signs of family violence, understanding the trauma it leaves behind, and adapting the way we engage with clients, so they feel safe, heard, and supported”.
“When we as lawyers are better equipped, we can play a real role in breaking the cycle and creating change”, Vairawanathan said.
Sherele Moody, the anti-violence activist who launched both The RED HEART Campaign and Stacey’s Sanctuary, was the event’s highlight speaker.
“Lawyers play a vital role in the quest for justice and safety as Australia's femicide epidemic continues to take the lives of women across our country. The RED HEART Campaign's mission to document the killing of women and children, to keep their stories alive and to support victims of homicide and women leaving violence has been strengthened by the generosity of Melbourne's legal fraternity”, Moody said.
Speaker Lee Little advocated for the establishment of a national domestic violence offender registry, while Boyd and Bianca Unwin sought greater recognition of coercive control and justice system reform. Family law barrister and mediator Therese Borger presented legal insights on the testimonies of the speakers.
JustFund’s Kristen Hallaby discussed the value of practical funding solutions to help families handle separation and domestic violence. Wiradjuri performer and ex-The Voice competitor Olivia Coe Fox opened the event.
Melmark Law was the principal sponsor of No Place to Go, with JustFund and Imperial Valuers as supporting sponsors. Ovolo South Yarra was the venue partner, while additional support was provided by The Royal Trapeze, The Virtual Office, UNTMD Media, Minuteman Press Prahran and Voir Vodka.
