Hit the pavement, hiking trails, dirt tracks or surface of your choice to take a stand against domestic and family violence next month.
Recognised as Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month, May is the perfect time to commit to challenging a community-wide issue that touches every group in society.
Today, Challenge DV launched its national Darkness to Daylight 2023 campaign in Mackay.
Acting CEO Keith Tracey-Patte said the Darkness to Daylight event is an opportunity for teams and individuals to cover 110 kilometres, either remotely or at the overnight run in Brisbane on May 30th and 31st.
“The distance represents the average number of DFV deaths in Australia every year,” he explained.
“We do it to improve general awareness of DFV, encourage people to have courageous conversations about their experiences, and to raise money for our social impact projects.
“This is a heavy topic. But each of us can be ready to help by being informed about domestic violence and how to appropriately respond to somebody who tells you they’ve been impacted.
“It’s also about hope, highlighting the message that people can and do emerge from the darkness into the light.”
Mackay Regional Council is one of the leading local governments demonstrating support by continuing work to address domestic and family violence. Since establishing a taskforce in 2018, the Council has led efforts to inform the community and engage local businesses in support initiatives.
Mayor Greg Wiliamson said he welcomed Challenge DV’s decision to celebrate Darkness to Daylight’s 10th anniversary launch in a regional area.
“We don’t have the answers but with events like Darkness to Daylight, we can increase awareness of domestic and family violence.
“I believe the large public campaigns we’ve run have helped empower people to come forward and talk about their experiences.
“It’s important we address this as a community,” Mayor Williamson added.
Mr Tracey-Patte said Challenge DV has invested donated funds in numerous social impact projects, including:
· A listening forum with Afghan community leaders to understand their experiences and needs
· Screening of and community conversation about UNDER COVER, a documentary unpacking why women aged over 50 are the fastest growing cohort of homeless Australians
· Support for the Combined Women’s Refuge Group to develop a strategic plan for refuge leaders’ voices to be amplified
· Support for the Society for Prevention and Elimination of Abuse Queensland, the peak body for men’s behavioural change professionals, including a listening event in Cairns to capture prevention ideas
· Financial and administrative support for Strong Women Talking, a grassroots movement of First Nations women working to educate, equip and empower people.
Anyone interested in registering for Darkness to Daylight is encouraged to go to www.darknesstodaylight.org.
Media inquiries to sian@challengedv.org.
