16 November 2018

New banners in the Shire share a singular message about domestic violence and bullying; Gunnedah says no to violence.

Gunnedah Shire Council received a grant of nearly $17,000 for a crime prevention campaign towards domestic violence and bullying from the State Government’s Department of Justice.

Crime Prevention Working Group Chair Councillor Colleen Fuller welcomed the funding.

“The low report rates on domestic violence make it almost impossible to know for sure what the true impact is on people and our community,” Cr Fuller said.

“We hope this campaign will be a visual warning to a potential abuser and, where domestic violence has already occurred, give people a pathway to seek support and have the confidence to come forward and report it.”

Last week, representatives from Gunnedah Shire Council, the Gunnedah Community Action Team and Crime Prevention Working Group assisted in raising the flags on Conadilly Street in Gunnedah to signal the start of the campaign.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey thanked the State Government and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson for supporting the campaign.

“You may have already noticed the eight flags hanging around Gunnedah, and soon you will see the street sweepers and garbage trucks wrapped in the anti-violence messaging as well,” Cr Chaffey said.

“In Gunnedah Shire we have no tolerance for any form of abuse or bullying.

“Our hard stance and previous community awareness campaigns have led to a significant reduction in reported incidents of domestic violence, but the target is, and should be, zero.”

Cr Chaffey said the campaign is an extended operation, so people are consistently reminded about the need to speak out and how they can find help.

“The flags will fly for the month of November to coincide with White Ribbon Day, and the trucks will have the vinyl vehicle wraps on them for at least a couple of years to continue in sharing the message,” Cr Chaffey said.

“Congratulations to the Crime Prevention Working Group with the support of the Gunnedah Community Action Team on this initiative.”

For more information on the campaign, contact Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

If you, or anyone you know, are impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800respect.org.au

Photo Caption: Speaking out about violence. Left to right: Gunnedah Shire Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton, Mayor Jamie Chaffey, Crime Prevention Working Group Chair Cr Colleen Fuller, Tourism Supervisor Chris Frend, Inspector Michael Wurth and Gunnedah Community Action Team members Jess Blair, Dalton Dorrington and Melinda McCulloch.

ENDS

Media Contact: Brooke Maisey 6740 2100.