THE GOLD Coast has made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, as our shameful title of the ‘Domestic Violence Capital of Australia’ lived up to its name.

Two Domestic Violence-related killings were carried out publicly. On Tuesday young mother Tara Brown was allegedly run off the road and then bashed to death in her car by her ex-partner.

She had just dropped her little girl off to childcare.

Two days later, Stephen Lock chased his estranged wife Karina into the Helensvale McDonald’s and shot her in the head. He then turned the gun on himself and later died in hospital.

A community already in shock, Gold Coasters looked to one another to ask how to stop this ‘silent killer’.

The devastating events have opened up conversation about Domestic Violence and how to stop it.

White Ribbon Ambassador Dean Gould tells myGC, it’s up to the male population to do something.

“This is not a female problem. This is a male problem,” Mr Gould says.

“Us blokes have to do something about this. We can actually go to the perpetrator and say ‘stop there’.”

Mr Gould is assisting in the organisation of the Candle Light Vigil being held at The Spit this afternoon, from 5.30pm.

“We can’t let events like this pass through our commuity without getting together and saying ‘hang on this is not what we accept’, we have to do something about this.”

“There are other women out there who are in fear. And we want to put a message out there that there is an alternative to this violence.

“We want a show of faith, to demonstrate to both women and men, that there is a better way to handle situations that are driving us crazy.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance to flee a violent situation, contact DV Connect on 1800 811 811. If your life is in danger, call Police on 000.

Click here for more details on this afternoon’s event.

If you’re unable to attend, you can donate to the cause.