News
15 May, 2024
Wear purple to spread the word against DFV
The Rotary Club of Glasshouse Country (GC) is calling on local businesses to wear purple on Fridays to raise awareness around Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
Speaking with The Sentinel, incoming club president Steve Newton said the Rotary club of Glasshouse Country belonged to a ‘cluster’ of 12 clubs from Bribie Island to the Sunshine Coast.
While hoping to launch the initiative over the coming months locally, Mr Newton hopes all 12 clubs would jump onboard to help amplify the message at the first cluster meeting of the new Rotary year, on July 21.
“Although the commencement of a local campaign has been positively spoken about informally amongst incoming presidents, it is our hope that the campaign will be formalised by July,” Mr Newton said.
“This campaign is not just a one-club wonder, the real impact will be if the whole Rotary cluster becomes involved to spread the message throughout the community.”
Mr Newton said the idea was developed after hearing about the rising rates of DFV activity and the desire to help raise awareness around the issue.
“We also want to show our solidarity for those impacted by standing up together as a community to show we will not accept DFV behaviour,” he said.
Last month, Mr Newton attended a seminar hosted by North Coast Rotary Clubs, where police representatives described the severity of the DFV problem and asked community members to assist.
Members of those northern clubs commenced the successful campaign, inspiring GC to spread it.
“Local businesses have come on board by wearing Purple DFV T-shirts on Fridays and now we are looking to instigate a similar campaign locally,” he said.
In Australia, Domestic and Family Violence is disturbingly common, with many DFV victims never reporting their experience.
This initiative aims to raise awareness and support.
Interested businesses can jump on board and purchase the t-shirts anytime for around $30, email glasshouserotary2024@ gmail.com
