'Odd': Victorian MP Will Fowles attends Melbourne domestic violence vigil after being probed over rape allegations
Victorian MP Will Fowles, who has been cleared by police following an investigation into allegations he raped a Labor staffer, has attended a candlelight vigil dedicated to victims of domestic and family violence on family violence remembrance day.
Footage posted to social media, shows the State Member for Ringwood attended Wednesday night's event at the Family Violence memorial garden in East Melbourne.
Mr Fowles has strenuously denied the 'baseless allegations'.
Sky News understands all Victorian members of Parliament were invited by the organisers to the event, including Premier Jacinta Allan who did not attend and Opposition leader Brad Battin, who did attend.
The organisers of the event declined to comment further.
Two Victorian members of parliament, who wished to remain anonymous told Sky News Australia, they felt it was "odd" for the independent member to have attended.
Last year, Victoria Police concluded its investigation into Mr Fowles over allegations made by former staffer Lucy Gunner, the sister of former Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
A Labor Party investigation made the determination that "on the balance of probabilities" Mr Fowles "engaged in sexual assault; rape; and sexual harassment" at a taxpayer funded hotel on Bourke St after a parliamentary sitting in August 2023.
Vigil events were held across Victoria and around Australia on Wednesday evening to honour lives lost to family and domestic violence, in a moving annual event first started in 2005.
Safe Steps provides a 24 hour a day, seven day a week confidential family and domestic violence crisis support service for Victorians.
On average, the organisation manages around 300 calls, web chats and emails to support those who are considering leaving unsafe situations.
More than 40 per cent of Australians under 16 are exposed to domestic violence.
The crime leapt 11.3 per cent in 2023 and 9.5 per cent again in the last financial year, making it the highest reported incident ever.
Sky News has contacted Mr Fowles for comment.
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