Tackling Domestic & Family Violence Together
Ten years after originally joining forces to tackle domestic and family violence, the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and the NQ Women’s Legal Service (NQWLS) continue to stand together on the important issue.
NQWLS, the Cowboys and the Townsville Fire banded together for the ‘Tackle Domestic Violence’ campaign in 2015, at a time when speaking out and speaking up was an emerging concept.
“Awareness and attitudes around domestic and family violence were different in 2015 than today, so the Cowboys’ willingness to step up and stand with us way back then speaks volumes,” said NQWLS Deputy Principal Lawyer Ashleigh Metcalfe.
“We’re proud of the depth and endurance of our partnership, 10 years is a significant milestone and a wonderful show of commitment from the Cowboys and demonstration of their stance on calling for an end to domestic and family violence,” she said.
“We have been returning to the Community Corner in May during Domestic Violence Prevention Month every year since and we’re looking forward to joining 7 other organisations at Saturday’s Cowboys home game as part of Townsville DV Action Group (DVAG).
“Over the past 10 years we have seen Australians’ understanding of, and attitudes towards violence against women and gender inequality improving, however the statistics are still harrowing which indicates that we still have a long way to go.”
Statistics show two in five women (39%) have experienced violence since the age of 15, and on average one woman is killed every week by a current or former partner.
Every year in May the Cowboys mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month by providing a platform for DV advocacy and support organisations to share information and resources through activations in Community Corner, thanks to Townsville City Council.
“This year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month message recognises and promotes the combined community impact of every person doing One Thing to prevent, learn about, or respond to domestic and family violence,” said Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling.
“Cowboys members and fans’ can do their One Thing on game day, by stopping in at Community Corner to build a greater understanding of how they can respond to and help prevent DV within their personal and professional networks.”
The DVAG member organisation participating in the Community Corner include North Queensland Women's Legal Service, DVNQ, TAIHS, Department of Defence, Queensland Police Service, Relationships Australia Queensland, The Women's Centre, First Nations Women's Legal Services NQ.
For more information on the One Thing campaign visit here, or to learn more about Community Corner click here.
