As part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month, large letters spelling RESPECT will be installed on the lawns in front of the Sir Albert Abbott Administration Building.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said he hoped the installation encouraged people to have meaningful discussions.
“Every conversation about respect matters; it outlines a clear stand about what behaviours we accept as a community and what we won’t tolerate,” Mayor Williamson said.
“We want these letters to be a powerful tool to get people to reflect on and talk about what respect means to them,” he said.
During the month of May, residents and visitors will be able to take photos and videos with the letters, sharing their views on respect using the #MackayRespect tag.
A smaller set of letters will travel throughout the region to involve as many people as possible in sharing the message of respect.
CEO of Mackay Women’s Services, Belinda Berg, said prevention of domestic and family violence started with conversations.
“From wearing purple shirts, taking photos with the letters and just talking about it, there will be an overwhelming sense of community, of people standing together saying we can all play a part in preventing disrespect and domestic and family violence,” Ms Berg said.
“We want people to have the confidence to notice negative behaviours, to speak up and to offer support and referral to those who need it.”
As well as supporting those in difficult situations, Mackay Women’s Services has developed a behaviour change program for men.
“We have a large number of shift workers in our region and they simply aren’t able to attend an eight-week program face-to-face,” she said.
“So, we developed a hybrid model of in-person, online and phone call sessions, which allows those men who want to make a change the opportunity to do so in a way that fits in with their lifestyle.
“We want to ensure that any person who wants to make positive changes to their behaviour isn’t restricted by personal circumstances.”
The #MackayRespect campaign builds on the leading role the Mackay Mayor has taken in the area of domestic and family violence.
The Mayor’s DV Taskforce was established in 2016 and was last year recognised with the Alison Woolla Memorial Award for local leadership in preventing domestic and family violence.
There are 24/7 or extended hour DFV helplines recommended by the Queensland Government for people experiencing DFV.
In an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).