On the Thursday 17 November Ms. Ridler, Joseph Jose, Samuel Martyn, Anthony Zappia, Denzel Tarabay, Matthew Parkin, and I (Oliver Kendall) volunteered to assist the Campbelltown Domestic Violence Committee in launching their 16 days of activism campaign into gender-based domestic violence.
At this event, it was revealed to us that the Campbelltown local government area has the highest rate of domestic violence incidents in the state. The Campbelltown Domestic Violence Committee has recognised that as a community, we need to turn this around.
This event centred around The Purple Bench an initiative by joining together with other members of the community to place our handprints on the Purple Bench. This Purple Bench now sits as Koshigaya Park with an aim to create awareness of Domestic Violence, and the movement towards eradicating it. We also had the opportunity to help set up the artwork for the silent auction welcomed the community to take part in this.
We, here at St Greg's, stand against any forms of Domestic and Family violence, and joined the "Speak up and Speak Out" campaign which has the goal of driving out family and domestic violence in a multi-pronged approach which raises awareness within the community, helps perpetrators and supports victims.
As a token of our support, we have presented The Purple Cushion to Mr Brennan and ask that we place it in the reception foyer. Anyone who scans this QR code will be taken to the Domestic Violence help website, which contains information and pathways for help for those who have been exposed to domestic violence.
- Oliver Kendall, Year 10 Community Service Volunteer