Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to raise community awareness of domestic and family violence and to send a clear message that such violence will not be tolerated.
Recognising the signs of violence and knowing how, and when, to help someone can be very difficult for many people. That’s why we were proud to provide $2,000 towards the Chinchilla Community Centre’s recent Active Bystander Training for local teachers and key community stakeholders.
Above: Active Bystander Training at the Chinchilla Community Centre.
Centre Manager Louise Judge said many people struggle with knowing what to do when they witnessed signs of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence often begins with sexist behaviour, put downs and verbal threats,” Ms Judge said.
"Every situation is different, so there is no one way to respond to disrespect towards women. The most important thing is showing the victim that you support them. This could be as simple as not laughing at a sexist joke to speaking up if you see someone shoving or slapping their partner in the supermarket.”
Supporting victims in Central Qld
This year, CS Energy has also donated $4,000 to the Banana Shire Emergency Accommodation Support Centre Inc so that they can continue to provide vital support services to victims of domestic violence – some of which allowed the centre to purchase a new trailer valued at $2,500.
The Centre is the primary support service for victims of domestic and family violence in the Banana Shire.
Centre Manager Mark Warnick said the centre has one counsellor to support victims of family and domestic violence in Biloela and Moura. The centre provides counselling and court support, and in FY2019 alone has assisted 176 victims of domestic and family violence, which included 142 adults and 34 children.
Elsewhere, CS Energy CEO Andrew Bills has this year personally supported the CEO Darkness to Daylight Challenge, which is an ‘award-winning charity that supports the business sector to help break the silence surrounding domestic violence’. And CS Energy has, for the past few years, supported “White Ribbon Day” in November.
Where to get help
CS Energy provides domestic and family leave for its employees and provides free access to 24/7 counselling through our employee assistance provider, Assure Programs.
In Queensland, there are a range of support services available:
- DV Connect Womensline – 1800 811 811
- DV Connect Mensline – 1800 600 636
- Sexual Assault Helpline – 1800 010 120
- Lifeline – 13 11 14.