May is Domestic Violence Prevention Month and events are being held to raise much-needed awareness in the community regarding the issue.
Officers from the Sunshine Coast District Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit earlier this month joined hundreds of community members at Cotton Tree Park for the Empower Her Voice march and candlelight vigil.
The moving event, hosted by Centacare in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Council, consisted of a candle-lighting vigil to remember the lives tragically lost to domestic homicide over the past 12 months.
During the event the community was urged to stop, listen and act during Domestic Violence Prevention Month.
Subscribe to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
Officers from the Sunshine Coast District Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit also joined community members earlier this month at the Maleny Candlelight Vigil, hosted by Speak Up Now.
Acting Sergeant Maria O’Brien shared a message about the Queensland Police Service’s commitment to reducing domestic violence and the positive changes being implemented within the service.
Acting Sgt O’Brien also spoke of the importance of an all-community response to tackle the issue.
Community members were encouraged to gain the knowledge and awareness to identify domestic violence, have the courage to call out domestic violence behaviours, and learn how to support victims of domestic violence.
To support the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-2032), the QPS encourages community members to attend events held during Domestic Violence Prevention Month, to support victims and unite against domestic and family violence.
A calendar of events can be viewed by visiting the Sunshine Coast Domestic and Family Violence Co-Ordination Service.
This column is compiled by the Sunshine Coast District Crime Prevention Unit.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours a day at Queensland Police – Reporting.
You can also report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at Crime Stoppers.
