May set to be a month of action against DFV

Published: 01 May 2019

Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is still the number one callout for general duty police cars in our region.

With this statistic showing no sign of changing (more than 1197 DFV incidences have been reported already this year), council is ramping up its Mackay Draws the Line campaign.

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month and council today released a series of stickers to keep the message at the forefront of residents’ minds.

Mayor Greg Williamson is encouraging residents to show their support by grabbing a Mackay Draws the Line sticker and attending one of the Domestic and Family Violence awareness events being held in May.

“Our Community Programs team has been working with the community and the Mayor’s Domestic and Family Violence Taskforce to create a sticker campaign that will be rolled out across the region from today,” Cr Williamson said.

“We have small round book stickers with messaging created by our local youth groups,” he said.

“Youth from Sarina came up with the message ‘Shatter the silence, stop the violence’, which is what this campaign is all about – speaking out, condemning violence and asking for help when needed.

“There are also rectangular bumper stickers aimed at business owners (Ending Domestic and Family Violence is our business) and rubbish bin stickers that spread the message that we are drawing the line in our residential streets (Throw out Domestic and Family Violence).”

Residents can collect their free Mackay Draws the Line sticker from any Mackay Regional Council library or customer service centre, or from school Zonta clubs and George Street Neighbourhood Centre.

Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Resource Service Dr Anne Butcher encouraged residents to take their support one step further by attending one of the council-supported events being held in May.

Events include:

  • Candle Lighting Ceremonies at Jubilee Park on May 1 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, and Sarina Library on May 8 from 6pm to 7pm
  • Mackay Says No Family Fun Day at John Breen Park on May 25 from 10am to 2pm
  • Mudth Niyleta event at the Sarina RSL on May 28 from 11am to 1.30pm

“Events like the Women’s Service’s Mackay Says No Family Fun Day are all about getting together to raise awareness and work towards a safer, more caring community,” Dr Butcher said.

“The candle lighting ceremonies are more solemn and really bring awareness to the tragedy and injustice of domestic and family violence,” she said.

“They provide an opportunity to remember those who have suffered and lost their lives to domestic and family violence.”

For more information on how you can get involved in the Mackay Draws the Line Campaign or Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month, head to council’s website.

The Mackay Draws the Line sticker campaign is an initiative of council and the Mayor’s Domestic and Family Violence Taskforce with funding provided by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.