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Domestic and Family Violence

2022 Red Bench Relay

Show your council’s commitment to DFV (domestic and family violence) awareness by hosting a ‘Walk Against Violence’ in your community.

Following last year’s successful events, the LGAQ is again inviting councils to show their commitment to raising awareness of DFV during the 16 Days of Activism between 25 November and 10 December.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is the United Nations’ annual international campaign, started in 1991 by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute, and coordinated each year in the efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

The details

Councils are encouraged to host a DFV awareness – Walk Against Violence and/or ‘Red Bench Relay’ event – anytime between 25 November and 10 December, to raise awareness of gender-based violence against women.

Simply host a short walk (1-5km) within your community, or councils with red benches can go ‘out and back’ or from one red bench to another. 

Helpful assets

The LGAQ has developed assets to help you arrange your event, including a flyer, social media graphics and other content. Click here to download the files.

Red Bench Relay 2021
Click here to read about the 2021 Red Bench Relay.

DFV Red Bench Relay 2021

Background

The Red Bench Relay is an LGAQ initiative that is supported by the Red Rose Foundation, which launched the Red Bench Project in 2019 as a permanent reminder that domestic violence occurs within all our communities. There are now more than 227 red benches throughout Queensland, with many more on the way. 

For further information, please contact the LGAQ’s Domestic & Family Violence Project Officer, Ellen Ross, via email or phone 07 3000 2229.

2022 Alison Woolla Memorial Award for Local Leadership in Preventing Domestic and Family Violence

Alison Woolla Memorial Award for local leadership in preventing domestic and family violence honours Alison Woolla, the pioneering former Aurukun Shire Council Mayor, a trailblazer who provided remarkable leadership and support for members of her community when they were experiencing abuse.

The award was launched by the LGAQ in 2020 to recognise an outstanding individual following in Alison Woolla’s footsteps and making a significant contribution to raising awareness and prevention of domestic and family violence in Queensland’s local communities.

Kellie Bowie, a long-term Townsville community member who opened her home to the LGBTIQ+ community for emergency housing has been named the winner of the 2022 Alison Woolla Memorial Award.

Click here to read more about Kellie’s story.

Alison Woolla Award
Not in our Backyard – stop abuse at the start: local government’s new Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) campaign

The LGAQ is encouraging Queensland’s 77 Mayors to support the new DFV campaign: “Not in our Backyard – stop abuse at the start.”

The LGAQ created the campaign to help embed cultural change in local government workplaces and communities in response to the report, Not Now Not Ever: Putting an end to domestic and family violence in Queensland, which confirmed the importance of all government spheres acting if DFV is to be truly addressed.

Mayoral support for this campaign will reinforce the local government sector’s commitment to addressing this insidious problem that affects so many Queenslanders and demonstrating how change can be led from the top down.

Mayors were asked to capture a picture or record a short video of themselves with a pledge sign indicating their support for the campaign. These pledges will feature on this page, along with the LGAQ and councils’ social media platforms.

Support for this vital campaign will help send a strong message to the community that domestic violence will not be tolerated, and that local government is committed to supporting efforts to eradicate it.

Watch
Winton Shire Council Mayor Gavin Baskett
Winton Shire Council Mayor Gavin Baskett pledges to end domestic and family violence in the workplace and the community.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery pledges to start the conversation. Add your voice to this campaign - say no to violence.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson pledges to support domestic and family violence campaigns for the community.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Greg Christensen pledges his support for LGAQ's DFV campaign. Not now, not ever - stop domestic and family violence.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor George Seymour
Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor George Seymour pledges his support for LGAQ's #notinourbackyard campaign.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker pledges her support towards activities to end domestic and family violence in the workplace and community.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott pledges his support for LGAQ's DFV campaign. Not now, not ever - stop domestic and family violence.
Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power
Logan City Council Mayor Darren Power pledges to support activities to raise awareness and prevent domestic and family violence.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio supports the LGAQ's domestic and family violence campaign to stop the abuse at the start.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh supports the LGAQ's domestic and family violence campaign to end domestic and family violence.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan supports activities to end domestic and family violence in the workplace and community.
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