Pubs and hotels across NSW have thrown their weight behind the Department of Communities and Justice’s Speak Out campaign which encourages domestic violence victim-survivors to call the State’s helpline for support.
In a statement the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Mark Speakman said the campaign was to be expanded through a new partnership with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).
Mr Speakman said more than 1,700 venues would receive posters from the campaign for display.
“We know from victim-survivors and frontline domestic violence workers that one of the challenges during COVID-19 has been finding a safe place to seek help,” Mr Speakman said.
“A recent Australian Institute of Criminology report also found that domestic violence had risen during the pandemic, but a large proportion of victims were not reporting to police – demonstrating the timely role this campaign can play in promoting other support services,” he said.
“I’m thrilled that the AHA and their members have now come on board to help ensure that the critical messages in this campaign continue to reach far and wide across the community.”
Mr Speakman said he wanted victim-survivors to know that the trained counsellors at the Domestic Violence Line were there for them.
“They will listen to you, they will believe you, and they will help you,” he said.
“The campaign features the words “Speak Out” painted on the lips of people of different ages and cultural backgrounds to highlight that domestic violence does not discriminate.”
He said the Domestic Violence Line could help victim-survivors to develop a safety plan, find accommodation, provide information about available services and advise on how best to contact police, lawyers and the courts.
