Turning Awareness Into Action   Mackay Rotary Clubs Take A Stand Against DV

It Starts with RESPECT. Say NO to Domestic and Family Violence

For some, purple is just a colour, but to others, it symbolises courage, peace and survival.
 
Domestic and family violence knows no barriers, often hidden within the walls of a place called “home” – yet to many it strips all sense of safety, leaving lasting trauma to linger along with the scars that often go unseen and untold.
 
Thankfully, organisations like the Rotary Clubs of Mackay and Resource Industry Network are working to make Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) no longer a “taboo” subject but rather a conversation about prevention and empowerment.  
 
Rotary Clubs around the Mackay district have made it their mission to educate the region, particularly young men in schools, through the Betterment Project, which fosters early intervention and positive change. 
 
DVF Project Manager Michal Buckeridge from the Rotary Club of Mackay said the organisation was deeply concerned about the number of women losing their lives.
 
“We connected with the CQU Domestic and Family Violence Research Unit, and they pointed out that while many programs focus on picking up the pieces, no one was running a community-driven preventative program,” Mr Buckeridge said.

“This is where we step in - our goal is to create awareness and prevent future violence, but we need local businesses like Resource Industry Network to jump on board to help spread this message.”
 
With support from an advertising grant from Mackay Regional Council, the Rotary Clubs of Mackay have partnered with Resource Industry Network to extend their outreach where it’s needed most. 
 
“Resource Industry Network is helping us reach high school students where they spend most of their time - on their phones,” Mr Buckeridge added.
 
"We’re encouraging businesses to get involved by purchasing shirts and displaying banners. 
 
“It’s all about visibility and conversation, and getting the community to step up and be part of the change."
 
Dean Kirkwood, General Manager at Resource Industry Network, emphasised the importance of their involvement.
 
"Domestic and family violence has a huge impact on the community - not just from a welfare and health perspective, but across many different areas. It’s still a taboo topic, but we need to bring it into the open and start these conversations,” Mr Kirkwood said.

"It’s about ensuring that young people see the businesses they look up to - whether it’s their future employers, sponsors of their sporting team, or local role models - seeing those organisations take a stand helps the message get through.”

Every Friday in May, Rotary Club members, sponsor businesses and Resource Industry Network staff will wear their purple shirts with pride to show support to those impacted by domestic and family violence and encourage future generations to take a stand. 
 
“Our mission is to help businesses create internal conversations and a culture that doesn’t tolerate abuse," Mr Kirkwood added.
 
“We need to equip businesses with tools to start conversations and raise awareness about prevention by wearing Rotary purple t-shirts in the community.

rin.org.au/dfv

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