September 2013 Newsletter - Domestic Violence Resource Service

Thanks so much for your
What a great response we have had from our first Newsletter!
support!
We had so much positive feedback and we are chuffed! Thanks
especially to those of you who were kind enough to network the
Newsletter for us. We very much welcome any feedback on the
newsletter and would be more than happy to include upcoming or
past events that address or are related to domestic and family
violence in our community.
This year DVRS has taken on the role of lead agency for the Reclaim the Night Mackay. We have been
fortunate enough to enlist the help and support of Shandee Blackburn’s family. Shandee was tragically
murdered as she walked home from work on February 9th this year. Her death is exactly the sort of
senseless violence on our streets that this event hopes to raise awareness of so that others do not have to
suffer as Shandee and her family have done.
The Event this year will consist of a Lantern Lighting Ceremony at the spot now known as Shandee’s Garden
in Boddington St. That will symbolise Shandee walking with the crowd. She had in years past said that she
would like to do the March and she never had the opportunity. The March itself will then progress do wn
Sydney St, ending at Bluewater Quay. We would love participants to wear fluorescent colours and to bring
signs or noise makers. We are asking that businesses along the way show vocal support or join the march
which will end with drinks, nibbles and an array of live entertainment at Bluewater Quay till 8pm.
DVRS would like to acknowledge the assistance and support o f Zonta, Relationships Australia, Headspace
Youth Reference Group and the many individuals who are assisting them. We would love to hear from any
other individuals, agencies or businesses that would like to support the event in future years. There is a
Facebook page and we have posters available for you to display and network.
Domestic Violence Resource Ser vice
418 Shakespeare St, Mackay
(Mackay Women’s Centre)
Call us on
07 4957 3888
If your life is threatened
CALL 000
In times of CRISIS CONTACT
1800811811
DV CONNECT ON
(24hrs)
Or for 24 hour counselling service call
1800 RESPECT
Email - [email protected]
What else have we been
doing?
Whilst our counselling staff have been busy assisting
women and children wherever possible with counselling
our court assistants lending a very helpful hand to those
requiring the assistance of the courts, our Community
Education Officers have been out and about raising
awareness on Domestic and Family Violence. Our
Education Officers can go to businesses and schools and
community groups and give quick informative sessions
on what Domestic and Family Violence actually is under
law in Queensland, especially given the changes to the
Domestic & Family Violence Protection Act that came in
September. We also can give information on issues
surrounding Domestic Violence and Strategies that can
be used to help.
This year we fortunate enough to involved with quite a
few NAIDOC events around town. We started off joining
Mackay Regional Council at their Flag Raising ceremony and were very
entertained by the Mackay Little Murries who have now grown up to
be our own Mackay Murries. On the Wednesday we headed to YIRS
for a fantastic barbeque that had all sorts of indigenous themed food
on offer and on Friday we headed down to Queen’s Park to have a stall
at the NAIDOC Family Day event hosted by Department of
Communities, Child Safety & Disability Services. We handed out hundreds of colouring in sheets with the
local totem animal images being very popular as well as information on our service and domestic violence
issues.
Child Protection Week
On Monday 2 nd of September 2013 the Mackay Child Friendly
Community Action Group (MCFCAG) hosted a free Mad Hatters tea
party to promote awareness of Child Protection Week in Mackay.
Opened by the manager of Mackay Children and Family Centre,
Charlie Wicking, the Mad Hatters Tea party was attended by over
80 parents and children from the community. There were free
activities provided such as face painting,
cupcake decorating, hoola-hooping, a reading corner and jumping castle. Domestic
Violence Resource Service staff member, Lauren Pattie said ‘we were really happy
with the support from the community and the response of parents and children on
the day. It was great to see so many happy, carefree kids.’ Lauren went on to say
that ‘Child Protection week is about celebrating the positive activities that parents
and the community can do, or are already doing with children, to keep them happy
and safe. Our event was about raising awareness within the commu nity and letting
kids be kids.’
Aim discipline
at the action
we want to
teach not
torment
Make it
consistent
Make it logical
Make it acceptable- if
rules and punishment
are clear and fair then
the kids are more likely to
accept the consequences
Make it
reasnable- give
a reason
Make it sensible
Make it respectfulinsults or hitting makes
children think about
revenge not remedy
Child Protection week is run
nationally by the National
Association Prevention of Child
Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) and
held on the first week of
September each year. NAPCAN
provide resources to parents and
services to promote positive and
practical actions to stop child
abuse and neglect.
Successful parenting can be
challenging for anyone but it is
also very rewarding. At times all
parents need support and advice.
A word from our Child & Adolescent Counsellor who is able to work with children aged
between 3 and 18 years if they are from a home affected by Domestic and Family Violence.
In homes where domestic and family violence occur children are also at risk of experiencing physical,
sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. Contrary to popular belief, witnessing episodes of domestic violence
can affect children and adolescents as much as if the violence was directed at them.
Children can display a range of behaviours in relation to domestic violence. The most common behaviours
are:
 Anxiety
 Frequent physical complaints (stomach
aches/headaches/nausea)
 Hyperactive behaviour
 Aggressive behaviour
 Reluctance to part with their mother
(attachment issues)
 Difficulty sleeping/eating
 Low Self-esteem / compliant behaviour
 Lack of social skills
It is important that children get support around these issues in order to encourage healing. At DVRS we
work in a safe, secure and trusting environment. We work from a person centred therapeutic approach
which allows the child time and space to explore their emotions at a pace that suits the child.
Our child therapist is always available to answer any queries you may have around children ’s
counselling so please call our service if you would like to arrange an appointment or explore this option
further. Remember: Children have a right to be heard.
Tips for parents without their children

Plan alternative activities,
and be with family/friends if
possible. Reassure the
children that you are OK.
 Volunteer! The Salvation Army
usually needs help to serve its
Xmas lunch on Xmas Day. You
could also help out at the local
nursing home.
 If you feel depressed, make sure
that you get help from your
friends and family.
 You can ring Lifeline on 131 114 at
any time. This is a free call from
landlines AND mobile phones.
Christmas is a magical time of year, but it can
be a challenge for separated parents. Here
are some great ideas for surviving and
hopefully enjoying your festive season.
SAFETY FIRST –
If you or your children feel unsafe, are
receiving threats or experience violence or
abuse at Christmas or at any time, contact
the National Sexual Assault, Domestic
Family Violence Counselling Service on
1800 737 732 (24/7) or in an emergency
dial 000
Be aware that during Christmas
celebrations increased
consumption of alcohol can add fuel to an
already tense situation
This kindly brought to you by
35 MILTON ST MACKAY
1300 783 544
Day for Daniel
The Mackay Child Friendly Community Action Group are donning their sneakers, helmets and prams in
recognition of Day for Daniel and to celebrate Children’s Week 2013. They are calling on children, their
families and friends to join them.
The Mackay Child Friendly Community Action Group will be holding a free fun m orning activity on Friday
25 th October 2013. The morning will start at 9:00am with a group walk across the Forgan Bridge and back
to the Blue Water Quay. Participants are encouraged to wear red, the colour of the Daniel Morcombe
Foundation. Denise and Bruce Morcombe believe that through a National Day of Action more Australians
are empowered to educate children and their families on the importance of their safety. Activities at the
Blue Water Quay will include; Jumping Castle, Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, colouring and many more.
The Mackay Child Friendly Community Action Group focuses on
educating families and the Mackay community on the benefits of child
and family friendly communities, supporting communities to implement
child friendly environments and practices, and providing advice and
input into policies and community-wide projects to Government and
business. You can follow what they are up to on Facebook as well!!
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
October is Sexual Assault Awareness month. DVRS are contributing
to the month by hosting the community event Reclaim the Night
(full event information available on front page). A recent open letter
written by sex educator, media activist; Carina Kolodny puts
forward a harsh but compelling message to parents, imploring them
to talk to their sons about their roles in making the world a safer
place for women, rather than telling their daughters ‘how to avoid
getting raped’.
Kolodony writes that parents have traditionally had talks with their
daughters and not their sons when it came to issues such as rape and keeping themselves safe. She comments that
rarely parents have a conversation with their son that involved the words; "I love you and I need you to know that
no matter how a woman dresses or acts, it is not an invitation to cat call, taunt, harass or assault her". Instead
parents, with the best intentions, are putting the responsibility on their daughters to ‘avoid being raped’.
Conversations such as "That's just the way boys are -- you can't give them any excuse to behave that way towards
you." "You need to be safe! When you dress that way, some people read it as an invitation." "Never go out alone,
never walk alone at night, and never drink from an open beverage."
Kolodony acknowledges that these are conversations often had by loving parents, coming from a place of care and
concern, but ‘most notably they come from a place of upside-down, cultural indoctrination that is hurting, stifling
and punishing young women’. Kolodony is arguing that it’s time we, society, start talking to our sons about rape,
unwanted sexual attention and a woman’s right to say no and to dress how she likes without it being an invitation
for sex. For the full letter visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carina-kolodny/the-conversation-you-must-havewith-your-sons_b_3764489.html
ZONTA SAYS NO –
In December 1999, the UN adopted a resolution designating 25
November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women, and inviting organisations such as Zonta International
to organise activities to raise public awareness of the problem.
In November 2012, the President of Zonta International, Lynn McKenzie, launched “Zonta Says NO” – a
year-long campaign to raise awareness of and increase actions to end violence against women and
girls around the world, culminating on the UN International Day fo r the Elimination of Violence against
Women on 25 November, 2013, when Zonta clubs and districts world -wide will take action to
demonstrate the collective commitment of more than 30,000 Zontians to preventing and ending the
violence. The Zonta Says NO campaign invites all Zonta clubs and districts to participate by sharing
their new and ongoing actions to combat violence, building on the theme of the 2013 Commission on
the Status of Women: the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against wome n and girls.
In Mackay, the club is involved in several activities to promote the Zonta Says No message – apart
from seeing members at several events, such as sausage sizzles, in their bright orange T shirts with
the Zonta Says No message! Over the next two months, there are two important events. In particular,
we are very pleased to be invited to partner with DVRS to help with the Reclaim the Night March on 25
October and in late November, and with the per fect partner of the White Ribbon Foundation, the
world's largest male-led movement to end men's violence against women , we are holding a dinner at
the Canelands Coffee Club restaurant.
Mackay Advocacy Inc is a non-profit
community based organisation that
provides free and confidential individual
advocacy to people with a disability
within the Mackay, Whitsunday and
Hinterland areas. Mackay Advocacy Inc believes that
independent advocacy provides a strong voice
allowing people with disabilities to exercise control
over their lives, establish meaningful relationships
with other people and to engage and contribute to
the life of the community – they support people with
a disability by acting, writing and speaking on their
behalf. Mackay Advocacy Inc is made up of a team
including Nina Swara who is the Manager/Advocate,
Peter Wood being the outreach advocate; Tamara Plater as Part Time Advocate and Paula
Mudge who is the Admin/Bookkeeper. If you think that Mackay Advocacy Inc could assist you
in any way please do not hesitate to contact the office to make an appointment on 07
49578710 or visit our website www.mackayadvocacy.com.au
Seniors Week
Seniors week for 2013 was highlighted by an expo for service providers in the Mackay Region who
provide services and information to older people and those with health and disability needs as well as
options for those looking to get out and about in their
community. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk to the
community about what actions they may be able to take to
assist us in identifying and preventing Elder Abuse in our local
community .
Elder Abuse is one of the least
reported crimes in Queensland.
This is for a variety of reasons. One is unintentional abuse
when an adult child feels that they are acting in the best
interests of their parent and in doing so are taking away the
basic human rights of the Elder. Sometimes it is shame that the
Elder feels that a loved one could do this to them. Sometimes
it is that the older person is unaware of their rights. Sometimes it is a result of mental health concerns
of family members living with the older person.
DVRS are working on the development of an Elder Abuse prevention program called Talking Elder Abuse
(TEA) for seniors. The early phases of it has involved working with senior groups within the Mackay
community to develop tools that will prolong their independence, confidence and wellb eing, to reduce
their risks of elder abuse.
DVRS have also started to develop a Seniors Assist card which outlines key services in the local area
which can assist older people requiring legal, financial, and specialist support .
We’re On Facebook!
Social Media such as Facebook are increasingly becoming the way to
contact the world. If people are looking for information and contact
details it would seem that the ‘go to’ option is Google followed by
Facebook. With this in mind DVRS can now be found via both sthese avenues as well as the more traditional option of
the “White Pages” and on the internet.
When next catching up with the goings on in the world according to Facebook take a moment and show your support
by giving us a “Like”.
Other Facebook pages that we like of late include;
Zonta Says N0
Bravehearts
headspace Mackay
Reclaim The Night - Mackay
If anyone has feedback on any of the events hosted by and facilitated by DVRS please feel free to
let us know at [email protected].
Who Are We?
The Domestic Violence Resource Service of Mackay
and region is a Not For Profit organisation that
provides a free service to women and children
experiencing domestic and family violence. Services
offered include;



Counselling and Support for women & children
Court Support and assistance with applications
Community Education
DVRS can offer information, advice and referrals to
both women and children directly affected by
domestic and family violence as well as to anyone that may know someone requiring support
for Domestic and Family Violence.
Did You Know?
DVRS Mackay employs Community Education Workers who are a resource that you or your
organisation is welcome to utilise.
The service that these community educators offers include;

providing resources for your staff and service users.

ensuring that your domestic and family violence related resources are stocked and up to date.

Presentations to the public or staff education sessions, or hosting discussions with groups
(including schools and businesses) on domestic and family violence issues.
Domestic Violence Services, Links & Information
ALWAYS CALL 000 first if there is life at risk
Domestic Violence Resource Service
.................................................... 4957
3888
418 Shakespeare Street ...................................................... www.domesticviolenceservice.com.au
(Mackay Women’s Centre) West Mackay ...................................................... Find us on Facebook.
Provides free counselling and Court Support for women, children and adolescents who are affected
by domestic and family violence. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am — 4:30pm.
DVCONNECT for WOMEN & CHILDREN
1800 811 811
............................................
Provides free professional counsellors who provide crisis intervention, support, information, advocacy,
telephone counselling, referrals and importantly, the state wide coordination of emergency refuge and shelter
placements across Queensland for women, children and young people affected by domestic and family violence
across Queensland. This is a 24 hour phone 7 days a week service .
DV CONNECT FOR MEN (Mensline) ......................................................... 1800 600 636
Provides free professional counsellors who provide crisis intervention, support, information, advocacy,
telephone counselling for numerous issues & referrals 9AM to Midnight 7 days
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service
1800 RESPECT
24 hours a day 7 days a week for workers and clients ............................................. 1800 737 732
Queensland Centre for Domestic & Family Violence Research (CDFVR) ... 4940 7834
CQ University, Mackay Campus ............................................................... www.noviolence.com.au
Undertakes research, develops educational resources and provides community engagement activities pertaining
to domestic and family violence.
Legal Aid Queensland .......................................................................................
1300 651 188
17 Brisbane Street, Mackay ....................................................................................... 4967 0688
Provides legal information and referral services. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am — 5:00pm.
Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre .............................................................. 4953
1211
Suite 4 City Court Arcade, 80 Victoria Street
Free and confidential legal information. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am — 5:00pm.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service ............................................. 4953
4048
33 Sydney Street, Mackay
Provides free legal advice, support and counselling to all Aboriginals & Torres Strait Islanders.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am — 4:30pm.
Dispute Resolution Centre ...................................................................................
4967 4404
12 Brisbane Street, Mackay Court House, Mackay
Provides mediation services to the community. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am — 4:30pm.
North Queensland Women’s Legal Service ....................................................... 1800
244 504
Offers assistance in areas of law which commonly affect women, such as family law and domestic violence.
Phone line is open Tuesday to Thursday, from 9:00am — 1:00pm.
THE LINE ................................................................................................................ www.theline.gov.au
Interactive relationship advice for teens, parents and teachers including a link to a useful APP.