A red bench now takes pride of place in front of Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg to help raise awareness of domestic and family violence.
The seat was unveiled this week as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.
Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg General Manager Catherine Hackney said the bench was a sign of solidarity and support for survivors and victims.
“Mater’s Addressing Domestic Abuse (ADA) Steering Committee features representatives from all of our hospitals state wide recognising the significant impact domestic and family violence has on all communities across Queensland,” Ms Hackney said.
“The launch of eight Red Benches in front of Mater hospitals across the state is just one of the initiatives being rolled out this Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to ensure we are supporting our staff, patients and visitors and ensuring they know support is always available.
“The Red Bench installed in front of Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg also features a QR code which, when scanned, provides the community with a range of resources for themselves or to support those around them.”
EDON Place Community Engagement Coordinator Jenae George said it was important to stand alongside domestic and family violence victims and survivors.
“Local domestic and family violence statistics are increasing, and they are increasing dramatically – we have lost 21 victims, women and children, to domestic family violence or intimate partner violence, just between January and May,” Ms George said.
“Having Red Benches in prominent locations allows a victim, survivor or even community member with a loved one suffering from domestic abuse to come to a safe space, ask questions, and find support.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Community Liveability portfolio spokesperson Cr Carmen McEneany attended the unveiling.
“Red Benches in the Bundaberg community are a vital symbol of our commitment to raising awareness about domestic violence,” Cr McEneany said.
“The presences of multiple Red Benches in the local community signifies our dedication to providing safe spaces and support for some of our most vulnerable members.
“Unveiled this week as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, these Red Benches at Mater Bundaberg remind us of the importance of community support and the need for ongoing education and action.”
Mater Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Project Officer Rebecca Latham said the presence of a Red Bench in a public location aimed to raise awareness and provide an opportunity for the issue to remain visible.
“The burden of disease created by domestic and family violence in our communities and on our health services is truly immeasurable,” Ms Latham said.
“Improving awareness of DFV at Mater has the capacity to positively impact thousands of health consumers and their dependents”.
Red Rose Foundation Chief Executive Officer Betty Taylor launched the Red Bench project in 2019 to build a permanent reminder that domestic violence occurs within all communities.
There are now more than 400 red benches in place across Australia, with eight to be unveiled at each Mater hospital across the state during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, which runs throughout May.
Mater hospitals in Bundaberg, Mackay, Rockhampton, Redland, Springfield and South Brisbane will all provide a Red Bench for Queenslanders ‘to take a seat to take a stand’.
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Nice idea