The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys will use their biggest game of the year to drive home the message that domestic violence should not be tolerated by the community or by victims.
As a contribution to Domestic Violence Awareness month, the Cowboys have joined forces with the JCU Townsville Fire and the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service to launch a local ‘Tackle Domestic Violence’ awareness campaign at Friday night’s blockbuster against the Brisbane Broncos.
“Family and domestic violence is unacceptable and the club feels that it has a responsibility to take a stand against it,” Cowboys chief executive officer Peter Jourdain said.
“The big game at 1300SMILES Stadium is a great opportunity to join with the Townsville Fire and the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service and ask the community to stand with us.
“As well as raising awareness of the issue, we also want the ‘Tackle Domestic Violence’ campaign to provide practical help by letting people know that free legal help and other support services are available for anyone affected by domestic violence,” Mr Jourdain said.
Townsville Fire general manager Richard Goodbody said that tackling domestic violence was the responsibility of all Australians.
“Domestic violence is never acceptable under any circumstances and we felt obligated as a club to take a stand and to contribute to Domestic Violence Awareness month with the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service and the Cowboys,” Mr Goodbody said.
The campaign is also asking the community to support the work of the not-for-profit North Queensland Women’s Legal Service, which last year assisted 4,350 women across the region, two thirds of whom were affected by domestic violence.
“Around one in four Australian children are living with violence in their home and the impact of this can have many unfortunate consequences for these young lives, stretching years into their future,” Anne Lewis, director of North Queensland Women’s Legal Service, said.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Cowboys and the Fire for this campaign. High profile sports players are community role models and can help us get our message out there in ways we could not do by ourselves.”
The North Queensland Women’s Legal Service provides information, referrals and free legal help for people affected by domestic violence – contact 1800 244 504.
Donations to the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service can be made at www.nqwls.com.au or by texting the word “Homesafe” to 0437 371 371. (Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.)
