Train commuters rally against domestic violence

Published Wednesday, 26 August, 2015 at 11:50 AM

Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

South East Queensland train commuters have got on board a Queensland Rail campaign donating more than 3,000 essential household items to help local families who are rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.

Donations collected from passengers at local stations include more than 600 bars of soap, 230 litres of shampoo, 300 toothbrushes, 13 flat screen televisions, a washing machine, and hundreds of other useful household items like prams, toasters, kettles, linen and dinnerware.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad and Minister for Women and Communities Shannon Fentiman joined Queensland Rail to donate the items to Assist A Sista – a not-for-profit organisation which works with families on the Gold Coast who have experienced domestic violence.

“Families who escape domestic violence often leave with nothing so I am overwhelmed by the generosity of passengers. Every item – no matter how big or small – will make a huge difference in their lives,” Ms Trad said.

“For the past two months, Queensland Rail’s collection points have been overflowing with donations which have resulted in more than two truckloads of items being gifted to Assist A Sista.

“We expect this collection will go on to assist hundreds of families, with thousands of items donated including household cleaning products and hundreds of personal care items like soap, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner and nappies.

“A number of key household items like non-perishable food, toasters, kettles, dinner and cutlery sets, tea towels, glassware, bed sheets, towels and blankets were also donated which will go a long way to help families rebuilding their lives.

“The donations reflect the generosity of the community and include flat screen televisions, a washing machine, bedside tables and lamps, perfume and pamper packs, women’s and children’s clothing, prams and strollers, children’s toys like scooters and skateboards, and even a cat feeder.”

Minister for Women and Communities Shannon Fentiman said the generosity of donations reflected the increased community concern about domestic and family violence.

“There is a growing determination across our state to stand up and say no to domestic and family violence. It is so heartening to see such community support for helping victims of abuse in their efforts to rebuild their lives,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Last week, the Government announced its wide-ranging response to the landmark Not Now, Not Ever report, which highlighted the role that the whole community needed to play if we are to tackle this terrible problem.

“The generosity of Queenslanders has been overwhelming and these donations will mean so much to Gold Coast families who are desperately trying to get back on their feet after leaving a violent home.”

Assist A Sista Director and Cofounder, Nicolle, said the organisation was extremely grateful for the overwhelming contribution, which would go a long way to help those in their care to live safely and violence free.

“Nearly 500,000 Australians are affected by domestic violence each year, and we work each day to provide those in need with clothing, furniture, non-perishable food items, toys and other everyday essentials that many of us take for granted,” Nicholle said.

Last week, the Government released its comprehensive response to the Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland report by the Special Taskforce chaired by the Honourable Quentin Bryce.

This includes a range of initiatives from education in schools, workplaces and homes, through to improvements to the health, police and justice responses, more coordinated help for victims, including greater information sharing and increasing perpetrator programs.

The Queensland Government has committed to establishing two new 72 hour crisis shelters - in Brisbane and Townsville - for women and children escaping violence.

Read the Government’s full statement about its response to the Not Now: Not Ever report.

Queensland’s draft Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2015-2025.

Media contacts:     Deputy Premier’s Office:     0488 996 667

                             Minister Fentiman’s Office:  0437 336 232