FIGHT AGAINST DV PUT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
PURPLE lights are helping to shine a light on the issue of domestic and family violence during May.
Charters Towers Regional Council has partnered with Prospect Community Services to light up City Hall with purple lights, hoping it will spark a discussion about
awareness of domestic violence prevention.
Prospect operations manager Nola Humphrey said the organisation was taking the Not Now, Not Ever campaign and thrusting it into the limelight this month.
She said the purple lights, a morning tea on Wednesday and other displays would help to remind people that
domestic and family violence would not be tolerated in the Charters Towers community, or elsewhere.
“The special task force on domestic and family violence in Queensland produced a report to encourage community groups and the private sector to work together and support the campaign Not Now, Not
Ever,” Ms Humphrey said.
“Having a whole month set aside not only focuses the public’s attention on domestic and family violence, it provides an opportunity to open up conversations that inform, educate and connect.”
Ms Humphrey said in the past year, Prospect’s domestic and family violence program had provided more
than 1000 nights in an emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic abuse locally.
She said more than 60 people had been provided with Prospect’s support in court by sharing information and assisting with domestic violence orders.
Assistance has also been delivered to more than 200 women in the outreach program.
The Prospect domestic and family violence team approached businesses in town to take the pledge in support of the Not Now, Not Ever campaign.
The pledges will be displayed in their business windows to continue to spread the word.