United forces to stop domestic violence
TOWNSVILLE’S 3rd Brigade has signed a first- of- itskind agreement with the Queensland Police Service in a bid to stamp out domestic and family violence.
Townsville District Chief Superintendent Kev Guteridge and 3rd Brigade Commander Brigadier Chris Field yesterday signed a symbolic “Statement of Commitment”.
The landmark partnership is unique to Townsville but it is hoped the initiative will prompt other Australian Defence Force brigades to pair with police to promote domestic violence education and awareness across the country.
Brig Field said the ADF had its own domestic violence programs but the agreement was about unifying those with the QPS.
“This is a society where we should be loving, supporting and caring for each other and that’s what we encourage our soldiers to do,” he said.
“It is a united team approach and we appreciate the work of the police with our soldiers and their families.”
Supt Guteridge said domestic and family violence posed one of the greatest risks to the community and the new agreement was symbolic of a joint commitment to try to rid the North those types of offences.
“This really gives us another avenue to get the message across to say we’re not naive enough to think domestic and family violence doesn’t exist,” he said.
“Being organisations that are based very strongly on respect and on community safety, it’s imperative that we do work in partnership to push this issue further.” of