Grief for teen Emily
Silent rally for victims of domestic violence
GRIEVING for Emily Thompson, who had not even graduated high school when she was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend, has reached the Toowoomba community.
The young Petrie woman was laid to rest in Burpengary this week as loved ones filed into her funeral service with sunflowers in hand.
More than 150 km away, Toowoomba honoured the former Pine Rivers State High School student on Friday with more flowers at a Red Rose Rally hosted by the Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC) which provides support to individuals impacted by domestic violence and perpetrators.
Community service worker Michelle Burrows, who attended the rally on Friday, said she had dealt with women in DV situations through her line of work.
“I personally have known a lot of women who would have been Emily … it’s sad it’s someone so young,” Ms Burrows said.
As a mother to two young boys aged five and seven, Ms Burrows said she would be raising them to be respectful.
“I want them to be the kind of men to call something out and be in touch with their emotions and express them in ways that are healthy and safe for themselves and the people they love.”
Service manager for DVAC Toowoomba Kath Turley said when cases like Emily’s occurred, she saw an increase in people reaching out.
“It’s really tragic that such a young person who was just starting out in life has been taken,” Ms Turley said.
“When it becomes very much public there’s some people who then stop and think about what’s happening in their relationship.”
In the past 12 months, more than 9000 people have sought help across the Toowoomba and Ipswich branches. Bringing DV to public consciousness was crucial to fighting one of the most common forms of homicide in Australia, Ms Turley said.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic violence, you can reach out to DVAC. DV victims – 4642 1354; perpetrators – 4566 2635.