Government award category
This award recognises an initiative by a government organisation that aims to prevent domestic and family violence through policies or projects that specifically assist and/or inform the community about domestic and family violence.
2008 Winner: Townsville City Council - Women's Advisory Committee
For: Townsville Unmasked
'Townsville Unmasked' was a two day event to raise awareness of domestic and family violence within the community and identify some practical prevention strategies.
Doctor Ed Gondolf, Director of Research for the Mid-Atlantic Addiction Training Institute in the United States, has been involved in domestic violence research for 30 years and was keynote speaker for the event.
Four presentations were held over the two days. The presentations targeted specific audiences including Indigenous workers, defence force workers, corporate and community leaders, service providers and the public. Two speakers from the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service, two speakers from the local Queensland Police and two local speakers from 'Thursdays in Black' supported Doctor Gondolf in these presentations.
Approximately 300 people attended the presentations, with the awareness raised throughout the community reaching even wider. Feedback from attendees on all presentations was extremely positive. In particular, attendees reported a heightened awareness of domestic and family violence and its impact. Attendees further reported that they had learned simple strategies to make a difference in their working and personal life.
The 'Townsville Unmasked' event was an innovative approach to a whole-of-community issue.