Image Caption: Captured (from left) Back row: Director of Nursing and Midwifery Troy Lane, Principal of Spinifex State College Phill Sweeney. Middle row: North West Hospital and Health Service Assistant Clinical Nurse Consultant Alyce Rosenthal,  President of the Rotary Club of Mount Isa, Louise Brogden and Mayor Danielle Slade. Front row: North West Hospital and Health Service Clinical Nurse Consultant for the Family Advocacy Unit Tina Ferguson

Take a Seat to Stand Up Against Domestic and Family Violence

The North West Hospital (NWHHS), in partnership with Spinifex State College Mount Isa, the Rotary Club of Mount Isa and the Red Rose Foundation, launched its Red Bench Project today as part of National Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

You may or may not have noticed it yet, but a permanent Red Bench has popped up outside Mount Isa Hospital entrance; its bright red colour, designed to stop you in your tracks. In fact, it’s part of a greater initiative to shine a light on North West Queensland’s alarming domestic and family violence crisis.

North West Hospital and Health Service Assistant Clinical Nurse Consultant Alyce Rosenthal said the Red Bench at the entrance of the Mount Isa Hospital serves as a permanent reminder to the public that domestic and family violence still exists and occurs in our communities.

“Change starts with a conversation, and we hope the Red Bench will do just that; encourage people in the community to speak out against domestic and family violence,” she said.

The Rotary Club of Mount Isa generously donated towards the construction of the Red Bench after being contacted by students from the Spinifex State College Leadership Team.

“The Red Bench would not have been possible without the help of the Spinifex State College Leadership Team for 2021 and the generous donation from the Rotary Club of Mount Isa,” Mrs Rosenthal said.

“Domestic and family violence directly impacts children, and to see this group of amazing young people, initiating this Red Bench, speaks volumes that children in our community actively support putting an end to domestic and family violence,” Mrs Rosenthal said.

With a simple message, ‘Change The Ending: Let’s Stop Domestic Violence’, it is hoped the Red Bench will highlight the importance of speaking out against abuse.

Spinifex State College Principal Mr Phil Sweeney said the Spinifex State College Leadership Team for 2021 is tremendously passionate about bringing the conversation of domestic and family violence into the public domain.

“I’m extremely proud of our students working in collaboration with the NWHHS, the Rotary Club of Mount Isa and the Red Rose Foundation to bring the conversation of domestic and family violence out from behind closed doors. It’s important that conversations around this issue of violence remain present, respectful and in our communities,” Mr Sweeney said.

Rotary Club of Mount Isa Treasurer Tracy Pertovt said the Red Bench reinforces the communities stance against domestic violence.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe at home. Domestic and family violence is unacceptable; it’s not a police problem or a government problem. It’s everyone’s problem,” she said.

“The Rotary Club of Mount Isa is honoured to be part of this initiative. There is no place for family and domestic violence in our community.”

There are more than 250 Red Benches across Queensland. The Red Rose Foundation is a National not-for-profit charity that works tirelessly to end domestic violence in our communities.

If you feel like you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to one of the services below:

North Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Service Mount Isa 47430 946

Save The Children Domestic and Family Violence Service Mount Isa 4749 1901

DV Connect Womensline Qld 1800 811 811

DV Connect Mensline Qld 1800600 636

Sexual Assault Line Qld 1800 010 120

In an emergency, please call 000.