No More Empty Shoes 2025

Lou’s Place is once again involved in advocacy during the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. We are hosting a vigil to honour and remember the women and children we have lost to domestic and family violence (DFV) in 2025, in Martin Place on Tuesday, 25 November.

In 2024, the NSW Vigil Collective was created for this campaign, "Unite Against Violence: No More Empty Shoes", and brought together 8 organisations. This year, Lou’s Place is chairing the event, and we are expanding. 

29 frontline services are involved in the collective thus far, including the Asylum Seekers Centre, Banksia Women, Barnardos Australia, Bonnie Support Services, the City of Sydney, the Centre for Women’s Economic Safety, Dress for Success, DV NSW, DVSM, Full Stop, Hope and Heal, Lou’s Place, Lucy's Project, Muslim Women Australia, NSW Aboriginal Women’s Advisory Network, Pop In, SSI, South Eastern Community Connect (DFV Services), Two Good Co, VOCAL, WEAVE, WAGEC, RACS, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre, Women’s Community Shelters, Women’s Resilience Centre, Women and Children First, 4 Voices and 1800RESPECT. 

Our main speakers include DVNSW, Corey Anderson from Healing Through Yarning and Tabitha Acret, mother of Mackenzie Anderson, from “They Are Our Daughters”. She is a strong advocate for change for those who have been left behind. There will also be a surprise performance at the end of the formalities not to be missed (thank you Sydney Philharmonia Choirs).

A huge thank you to the City of Sydney who has awarded Lou’s a three-year grant to cover the costs associated with putting on this important event. Please keep an eye out for our media campaign and spread the word! We would like as many people as possible to attend the vigil. 

Please contact rebecca@lousplace.com.au  with queries about “Unite Against Violence: No More Empty Shoes”.

Tuesday, 25 November
Martin Place
Installation from 8am, formalities at 12 noon