Cooktown will turn purple on 22 May during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in a show of support for victims.
It is a nightmare traditionally kept behind closed doors, but Cooktown will bring it to the forefront when the community turns purple this Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.
On 22 May, the Cooktown District Community Centre (CDCC) domestic and family violence team is calling on all community members, schools, organisations and local services to bring awareness by wearing purple, displaying purple decorations, and starting conversations about respect, support and prevention.
A CDCC domestic and family violence team member, who spoke to Cape York Weekly on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of their work, said purple represented courage, strength and hope.
“It symbolises a commitment to ending domestic and family violence, and for us all to stand in solidarity with those affected,” they said.
“Turn the community purple is to try and get the community to become aware of domestic and family violence, and how prevalent it is in all communities.
“In remote areas, it’s a good idea to try and harness the communities, because people are so dispersed and isolated, so it’s hard for us to get to them.”
The team member said the CDCC service covered not only those in Cooktown, but also Wujal Wujal, Hope Vale, Laura and Bloomfield.
“The ones that are living out in those areas are the ones that often miss out, because there are only so many areas we can reach, and so many people we can reach,” they said.
They added that domestic and family violence was a largely under-reported issue, and hoped that a day which brings it to visibility would change attitudes around speaking out and supporting victims.
“It is traditionally a type of behaviour that’s hidden, but the idea is, we’re bringing it out into the open, and telling people, don’t be afraid to report it, it’s not something you have to experience alone,” they said.
“We all have a responsibility to report domestic and family violence; some people don’t, neighbours are still like, I don’t want to say anything, and they’re worried about being found out that they’re the ones that have reported.
“Our hope is that a neighbour would stand up and go, well, I saw that turning the community purple thing, and they said it’s not right and I’m going to speak out.”
If you or someone you know needs help regarding domestic and family violence, call 1800RESPECT, DVConnect Womansline: 1800 811 811, DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636 or Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 13 11 14.
