JIMBOOMBA Police and local community groups have joined forces in a campaign aimed at raising awareness of domestic and family violence.
The campaign, supported by Jimboomba Times, aims to help those who may be experiencing domestic or family violence, reach out to children to break the cycle of violence and hold a community event to celebrate survivors of domestic violence.
Community groups including Able Australia Jimboomba Caddies, Jimboomba Quota Club, Jimboomba Rotary Club and St James Anglican Church are backing the campaign.
Jimboomba Police Senior Sergeant Bill Sheehan instigated the campaign and said he wanted to get the community working together to prevent and reduce domestic violence.
On average, police attend up to two domestic violence related incidents each day in the Jimboomba area.
"As a community we need to stop domestic violence occurring and do what we can to support victims of domestic violence," he said.
"It's everybody's right to live in a community, to live their life free from being scared, threatened or assaulted by people known or unknown to them."
Over the coming weeks Jimboomba Times will publish details on where those experiencing domestic violence can seek help, along with information about the signs of abuse and what to do if in that situation.
An artwork competition will be held between year 6 students at 11 public and private schools in the Jimboomba area, with the themes of 'Effect Respect' and 'Say No to Abuse'.
The best artwork from each school will be featured in a special 2015 calendar, to be produced by the end of the school year and given to the students.
The campaign will culminate in a community event on November 23 at Rotary Park to celebrate survivors, with music from school choirs, a talk from a survivor of domestic violence and a candle lighting ceremony.
Anyone who wants to be part of the music line up at the community event can phone Carolyn Dean on 5547 9888.
Someone experiencing domestic or family violence may:
Seem afraid of their partner or someone else close to them.
Seem anxious, depressed, unusually quite or less confident.
Have a partner who is controlling, obsessive or jealous.
Suffer social abuse - controlling where you go, locking you in the house or stopping you from seeing friends or family.
Suffer verbal abuse - name calling, yelling or swearing at you or your children.
Where to get help: If you are suffering from domestic and family violence phone DV Connect on 1800 811 811 (womensline), 1800 600 636 (mensline) or Logan Women's Health and Wellbeing Centre on 3808 9233.
