The Central Highlands Rugby League will turn purple this weekend and say no to domestic violence, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Round.
The month of May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month and the Central Highlands Rugby League will join forces with the Queensland Police Service and Centacare this weekend to raise awareness of domestic and family violence within the local community.
Every player and match official this weekend will wear a black armband as a mark of respect to the victims of domestic and family violence.
This year to date, 30 women have been killed in a violent way as a result of domestic violence around the nation with the most recent case occurring on Sunday night.
Emerald Police Station Officer-in-charge, Senior Sergeant Peter McFarlane says as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month during May 2016, Emerald Police say “Break the Silence, Stop the Violence.”
“Emerald Police have been working with local agency Centacare and the Central Highlands Regional Council to raise awareness of domestic and family violence within our local community,” Snr Sgt McFarlane said.
“It’s great to see the Central Highlands Rugby League partnering with us and joining the pledge to say No to domestic violence and I invite everyone to attend one of this weekend’s Rugby League fixtures and join in one of the future domestic and family violence events later this month.”
In extension to Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Round, the QPS and Centacare will be hosting a Community Breakfast at the Emerald Town Hall on Wednesday, May 18 and marching the streets of Emerald on Tuesday, May 31 to “break the silence and stop the violence” as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month.
Central Highlands Rugby League President Frank Lambley believes it’s important for the Rugby League community as a whole to use its large supporter base to spread awareness and join the pledge to say no to domestic and family violence.
“It’s great for the League to be able to partner with the Queensland Police Service and Centacare to tackle the nation-wide issue of domestic and family violence,” Lambley said.
“This weekend in Clermont, Emerald, Bluff and Springsure, clubs around the region will spread the awareness of domestic and family violence in our local communites, remember and pay our respects to the victims of domestic and family violence, and most importantly, take the pledge as a League to say no to domestic violence.”
The QRL Central Division has also partnered with RizeUp in an effort to help tackle domestic violence.
RizeUp is an independent charity that provides practical assistance to families affected by domestic violence.
The team behind the Central Division will work with RizeUp to create awareness of domestic violence through a dedicated “RizeUp” round on Saturday, August 13 as well as providing support through education, fundraising and donation drives.
To find out how you can help either as a volunteer or donating goods and services to RizeUp, please visit facebook.com/RizeUp or www.RizeUp.com.au.
If you, or someone you know, is suffering from domestic or family violence, the following services are available:
- Queensland DV Connect – 1800 811 811
- Queensland DV Prevention Centre – (07) 5532 9000
- National DV Hotline – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- Centacare – 1300 523 985
