May is Domestic Violence Prevention month and with the death toll of domestic violence victims steadily rising, it’s time to bring the violence out from behind closed doors.
The death of a 51-year-old woman in Sydney’s west on Monday 27 April takes the national toll of women allegedly killed in family or intimate partner violence to 22 deaths this year.
A staggering statistic given this week is week 18 of the year.
DV Prevention month is designed to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and stop DV being the single greatest killer of women aged between 15 and 44 years with at least one women killed each week by a current or former partner.
According to Australian research, one in three women have experienced physical violence at home, often repeatedly, by a man they know, and with whom they are, or have been, in an intimate relationship.
Over the past 12 months on the Sunshine Coast, Centacare’s SCOPE service supported 2620 women in local courts including Noosa Magistrates’ Court, an average of 218 women helped per month, plus 1737 women who attended SCOPE for counselling or group work.
In her recent report on domestic violence in Queensland, Quentin Bryce said up to 180 cases of DV are reported to police every day and that the gravity and frequency of attacks is increasing.
SCOPE reported that its statistics show domestic violence on the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa, is a growing and very disturbing problem.
To help raise awareness of the often silent killer, Centacare SCOPE, in collaboration with community organisations, will hold candle lighting ceremonies to remember those who have died as a result of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Prevention Month events
6 May – launch of the No More campaign You Tube clip. Centacare SCOPE has produced a No More video featuring men and women, including the police, the Morcombe family, and others pledging to ‘no more’ offer excuses or blame women for domestic violence.
6 May – From 4.45pm there will be a National Day to Remember march from the war memorial on Alexandra Headland. The march will finish at the Loo with a View in Mooloolaba where a candle lighting ceremony will be held to honour those who have died.
18-22 May – There will be a pop-up shop at the Noosa Civic Shopping Centre, supported by Zonta and Sunny Kids, to raise awareness of domestic violence in the community.
22 May – An elder abuse prevention and recognition workshop will be held in collaboration with the Women’s Action Group (WAG) at a venue to be confirmed. Phone Centacare SCOPE on 5430 9300 for more information.
28 May – A workshop to deepen the understanding of male perpetrators of intimate partner violence, coercive control and how female victims cope will be held the Maroochydore TAFE.
For more information and to register, phone 5430 9300.
Where to find help
In the event of an emergency phone the emergency services on triple zero.
Anyone who needs assistance or knows anyone who needs assistance or who needs links to counselling services can phone SCOPE on 5430 9300 or Centacare on 1300 CENTACARE or visit the Centacare SCOPE website www.scopedv.org or www.centacarebrisbane.net.au.
Both sites have fast exit buttons that will link straight to a blank internet page, if needed.
