Rio Tinto Weipa GM Shona Markham displays one of the 200 purple ribbons that will be placed on vehicles belonging to the company, as well as contractors and key service providers.
TURNING the spotlight on Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month is a key platform for Rio Tinto Weipa in May.
The mining company is rolling out several initiatives to raise awareness about the problem, which has a higher rate in Cape York than in many other areas of Australia.
The main event will be the inaugural Dusk Run, to be held on May 28 in Weipa.
In partnership with the Weipa Running Festival and Weipa Town Authority’s May community markets, the Dusk Run will look to raise awareness and promote the message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated.
Also in May, 200 purple ribbons will be added to the company’s vehicles, as well as those of contractors and support services and organisations in the community.
“It saddens me that in 2022 there are still adults and children dying at the hands of those who are supposed to love and care for them the most, in situations that are directly attributed to domestic and family violence,” Rio Tinto Weipa general manager Shona Markham said.
“Unfortunately, we are not immune as a community, and I feel passionately that we should get the message out that help is available and remind everyone that we can all support those in need.
“At Rio Tinto, we can help in the first instance by ensuring all employees have access to information on support services in our region.
“In doing so, we are guaranteeing that not only do employees in need have access to information, but so do their work friends, colleagues and management teams.
“By raising awareness in our community and workplaces and supporting our peers to access professional services and response teams, we can make a difference in our communities and help eradicate domestic and family violence.”
Rio Tinto Weipa said it was committed to increasing support offered to employees and would ensure information related to domestic and family violence support services in the region was permanently available on the company Intranet page, along with the Rio Tinto’s Family and Domestic Violence and Abuse Guidance.
For more information related to the Dusk Run, keep an eye on the Rio Tinto Weipa and Weipa Town Authority Facebook pages.
