Hinchinbrook and Cassowary Coast Raise Awareness and Go Purple

SHANE GREENWOOD Domestic and Family Violence Month

THE month of May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. This month seeks to promote healthy relationships and the right of everyone to feel safe in their home.

This year the TSC is encouraging the Cassowary Coast to go Purple for the month of May, wear purple on May 24 and enjoy a girl’s night in on either the 24th or 26th of May.

Cassowary Coast Goes purple

Now in its 5th year, Cassowary Coast goes purple to raise awareness of DFV in our community by encouraging businesses and individuals to wear purple and decorate their homes and businesses in purple during May. Over 50 businesses participated in the 2022 event throughout the Cassowary Coast and Cairns.

While the whole month may be difficult for some, we encourage everyone to join Purple Week from May 22 to 26 and wear purple on Tuesday, May 23.

Please show your support by taking a photo and sharing it on Social Media #cassowarycoastgoespurple #tullysupportcentre

Hinchinbrook Goes Purple

For the first time, the TSC is partnering with the team from Hinchinbrook Community Support to turn

Hinchinbrook purple. Wear purple, decorate your homes and businesses and help raise awareness of DFV in our community. Together let’s say Not Now, Not Ever to DFV in Hinchinbrook and the Cassowary Coast.

Please show your support by taking a photo and sharing it on Social Media #tullysupportcentre #hinchinbrookcommunitysupport #hinchinbrookgoespurple

Girl’s Night In 2023

The TSC Girl’s Night In has grown in popularity over the last five years. To allow as many people as possible to participate this year, we are combining our virtual Girl’s Night In with two activities held in Cardwell and Tully. Over the last five years, community members have connected virtually throughout Australia, including as far away as Brisbane and Tasmania.

The virtual Girl’s Night is being held on Thursday, May 25. The TSC is asking you to join us in putting your feet up, enjoying a cuppa or glass of wine, putting on a movie, taking a photo and posting to Facebook using the hashtags #DVawareness #Girlsnightin #tullysupportcentre

For more information about the Girl’s Night in Tully or Cardwell or the virtual Girl’s Night In, contact Maxine on 40681004 or email maxine@tullysupportcentre. com.au

DV in Australia

Unfortunately, Australia experiences high rates of DFV, with one in four women experiencing DFV in her lifetime, and around 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. The

TSC is also receiving increasing support requests from male domestic violence victims.

DFV is NOT ONLY CONFINED TO PHYSICAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

DFV also includes; physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological and financial abuse. It also consists of any threatening and/or controlling behaviours, including using spiritual or cultural beliefs to justify violent or abusive behaviour.

DFV involves an ongoing pattern of behaviour aimed at controlling the other person through fear. It can occur within any relationship, towards any person, at any time.

Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence Service

The TSC Cassowary Coast Domestic and Family Violence Service (CCDFVS) supports women and children affected by DFV from Babinda to Cardwell.

This program provides Court Support, Child and Adult Counselling services delivered by qualified and experienced staff.

Important numbers

In an emergency, dial: 000

DV Connect: 1800 811 811 (24hrs)

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24hrs)

Men’s Line OZ: 1300 364 277 (24hrs)

Men’s Line QLD: 1800 600 636

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 (24hrs)

Parent’s Line: 1300 30 1300

Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Legal Aid: 1300 65 11 88

The Tully Support Centre is funded by the Queensland Government and services communities throughout the Cassowary Coast.

The Tully Support Centre is located at 54 Bryant Street in Tully, opening hours Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm & 2 pm to 4 pm; and open until 6 pm on Wednesdays.

To register your interest or more info about groups and other services, please call 40 681 004, check the Tully Support Centre online at www.tullysupportcentre. com.au, or follow us on Facebook “Tully Support Centre Inc.”