Vigil for change

The family of Whanganui woman Jasmine Wilson is holding a vigil in the hope of preventing another death in similar tragic circumstances.

Wilson, 30, died on August 2. Police said she was assaulted and died of ‘‘non-accidental injuries’’. Although four people have been arrested during the police homicide investigation, no-one is yet charged with her murder.

The vigil will be at Majestic Square in Whanganui from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday and Wilson’s mother Brenda Reuben expected a couple of hundred people to attend.

Reuben said the event was to bring Whanganui together to talk and include all families affected by violence or death.

‘‘We want Whanganui to change. We want the silence to end,’’ she said. ‘‘We’re saying korero equals change.’’

She said the services supporting the family since Wilson’s death, such as police, Victim Support, Ma¯ ori wardens, White Ribbon and Women’s Refuge, would be there.

Reuben believed having all the services together would encourage people to speak up.

‘‘There’s good people in Whanganui and the love has been pouring out to us. These good people in Whanganui are restoring my faith in humanity.

‘‘I can’t do much to save my daughter. But we have to try to do something for somebody else.’’

Reuben said for some reason Wilson couldn’t tell her about what was happening to her, so Reuben wanted others to know how they could get help if they were in a bad situation.

Reuben returned to Whanganui from Auckland to live in November last year and she said since then there had been eight deaths in the city.

‘‘We need to take back Whanganui. We don’t accept this behaviour.’’

Of the four arrested in the homicide investigation, one is facing charges for a historical assault and three are charged with perverting the course of justice.

Wilson was driven critically injured to the Whanganui Hospital car park on July 31.