Domestic violence affects all communities and, instead of denying its existence, the Warwick community has become a leader in exposing the crime and saying we’ve had enough.
What started out as a local campaign last year, initiated by Sergeant Shane Reid, domestic and family violence coordinator for the Warwick Police District, has now been implemented across the state.
Some may say that putting a large White Ribbon windscreen sticker on a number of vehicles isn’t a big deal but it could have a large impact on our community.
It promotes that domestic violence is not tolerated in our community and may give the encouragement to victims of the abuse to stand up and not be silent about it anymore.
Sergeant Reid said 500 White Ribbon stickers had been placed on vehicles last year but this had now been expanded to just under 4000 stickers.
He said another five police districts had come onboard the fight against domestic violence, including Bundaberg, Gold Coast, Brisbane Central, Maryborough and Toowoomba.
For the entire month of November, residents will be able to see the stickers on a range of emergency services and business vehicles.
“The level of domestic violence in the Warwick community would be consistent with other areas per capita,” Sergeant Reid said.
“The theme for the campaign this year is ‘not violent, not silent’ , not to physically harm other people and not be silent, so if it does happen, to report it,” he said.
Sergeant Reid hopes to make the White Ribbon campaign an annual event and if you would like your business to be involved, you can contact him at the Warwick Police Station.
Story: Rebecca Brown
