Advocating respect, research as Mackay says NO to DFV
CQUniversity has backed a month-long campaign to end family violence in Mackay.
The Mackay NO to Domestic and Family Violence initiative calls on the region to build a culture of respect across May annually, led by the Rotary Club of Mackay.
Researchers and educators from Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (QCDFVR) partnered with the campaign, leading CQU’s involvement.
Eye-catching RESPECT signs featured at CQU campuses, and CQU staff were among the 1000-strong crowd who joined the Respect in Every Step March through the city centre on Friday 29 May.
The campaign also challenged locals to wear purple shirts on Fridays in May, to raise awareness, show support for victims, and encourage reporting of domestic and family violence.
Respect drives change
Lecturer in Domestic and Family Violence Practice Suewellyn Kelly said it was rewarding to see momentum building for the campaign.
“Throughout May, and hopefully flowing into the rest of the year, the campaign encourages our Mackay community to reflect on what respect truly means, to start important conversations, and reinforce that safety and support matter for everyone,” she explained.
“You go to the shopping centre and see the purple shirts were everywhere, all the staff were wearing them, and a lot of schools picked up the campaign as well.
“It’s such an important way to promote respect and community solidarity, and to help people understand the issues – and I think this will just keep building, and, and more and more people are aware.”
The campaign highlights the devastating fact that every five days in Australia, a woman is murdered by her current or former partner.
Across Queensland, police respond to a domestic violence call for service every three minutes.
The initiative also offers conversation strategies for increasing awareness, such as highlighting violence is never the victim’s fault if someone asks why victims don’t just leave.
QCDFVR has been part of CQUniversity Mackay for two decades, and combines research, education and support for sectors responding to DFV.
In May, QCDFVR also hosted the Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum in Mackay.
Learn more about the Centre’s research, education and training and community initiatives at the QCDFVR website.
