Help us put safety at her fingertips
It can feel dangerous for women experiencing domestic violence to save our helpline number in their phone. She may suspect (or know) that the person using violence against her is monitoring her phone and internet use as a method of control.
That’s why we’re running an appeal to raise $16,000 so we can put a link to safety in the hands of women across Queensland as soon as possible.
For the next couple of weeks, we’re asking the community to give what they can so we can produce safety items and distribute them free of charge to places where women access health or community services. These include hospitals, maternity wards, pregnancy planning and obstetrics services, health clinics, and community centres.
The items are like those you might find in any women’s handbag, with one significant difference – they discreetly carry our phone number. This means the women carrying them always have access to our helpline number – 24 hours, 365 days of the year – so they can seek help with less chance of the person using abuse finding out.
“We urgently need your help – because domestic violence is a bigger problem in Australia than the figures show,” said Beck O’Connor, CEO of DVConnect.
“Statistically, 1 in 3 women in Australia will experience domestic or family violence, or sexual assault. It’s just the tip of the iceberg though as we know that for many reasons, not all violence and abuse is reported. It is important for the community to understand that it doesn’t matter who she is or where she comes from, her job title or how much she earns, violence and abuse can happen to anyone.”
“We are asking the community to give what they can. Importantly, we can all play a role in stopping domestic and family violence and every safety item could be the reason a woman seeks help when she urgently needs it. Together, we can help more women to live free from violence,” she said.
If you agree that violence and abuse is never okay, please give what you can to our 16 Days of Activism Appeal. Because you will be helping someone you care about, even if you never know it.
Our appeal coincides with the UN 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, DVConnect can help you find a pathway to safety, away from violence. The DVConnect helplines are:
- Womensline 1800 811 811, available 24/7
- Mensline 1800 600 636 available from 9am – midnight, 7 days
- Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120, available from 7.30am – 11.30pm, 7 days
- For more visit www.DVConnect.org or contact
