Purple benches launched by Albany Soroptimist International group as a ‘visible’ sign of an ‘invisible issue’

Two new purple benches representing the continued effort to end family violence were launched in Albany last week.

The installation of the benches within the City of Albany sporting precinct was driven by the Albany Soroptimist International group, funded by the State Government and supported by the City.

Albany Soroptimist president Bronwyn Lyons said the group worked hard across a lot of areas to raise awareness of what she said could be a largely “invisible problem”.

She said the placement of the benches within the sporting precinct was important because it made the issue “visible” within a well used area frequented by a lot of men, women and kids.

“They are the colour they are so they can hopefully become conversation starters, not just for kids but between adults as well,” she said.

“They might wonder ‘why is this purple?’ then they can go up and read the plaque and then realise why.”

The benches were the second and third installed in Albany by the Soroptimists after they funded the installation of a first purple bench for Eyre Park in 2018.

The group chose to officially launch the benches on Friday at the midpoint of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10.

The purple bench project was started in WA by the Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing — formerly the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services.