General News
19 May, 2020
Red Bench Project to combat DV
AS a part of May’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the Mareeba Shire Council in partnership with Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service, has re-purposed two benches in the shire for the ‘Red Bench Project’.
AS a part of May’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the Mareeba Shire Council in partnership with Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service, has re-purposed two benches in the shire for the ‘Red Bench Project’.
Spearheaded by the Red Rose Foundation, the Red Bench Project serves as a permanent reminder that domestic violence still exists within our communities and that it is ok to speak up.
Benches in local parks have been repainted red to remind residents that domestic and family violence is never ok.
Mareeba Shire Councillor Lenore Wyatt was the driving force behind the benches and their repainting to support the ‘Red Bench Project’.
“The bench signifi es the support that council has for projects like this that bring domestic and family violence to light,” she said.
“We have two chairs one in Kuranda and one in Mareeba where people can choose to meet up and discuss issues they may be having.
“Local government organi- sations across Queensland are really getting behind the Red Bench Project and what the Red Rose Foundation are trying to achieve.”
Sandi Baker, Programs Manager at Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service, is happy to see local government areas getting behind the project.
“The bench is seen as a visual reminder of what domestic and family violence can do,” she said.
“It’s really about making the issue visible and that nobody is immune.
“The bench serves as a beacon to say that domestic and family violence is not ok.”
