Coaster collaboration spurs DFV conversations

Townsville City Council in collaboration with the Townsville Liquor Accord, The Women’s Centre, Sera’s Women’s Shelter, NQDVRS and Yumba-Meta to produce and distribute coasters featuring positive relationship messages.

The “is your relationship ticking the right boxes?” initiative aims to bring the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours to light using coasters in pubs.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the initiative showed how many parties across Townsville were working together to bring an end to domestic and family violence.

“Domestic and family violence is a significant issue in Townsville. By partnering with the Townsville Liquor Accord, The Women’s Centre, Sera’s Women’s Shelter, NQDVRS and Yumba-Meta we have been able to launch this new initiative which allows another avenue for individuals to assess their own relationships,” Cr Greaney said.

“We have worked together to design and print 100,000 coasters featuring designs that encourage individuals to reflect on their relationships. These coasters are being distributed by Townsville Liquor Accord to venues where alcohol is served.

“In particular we are asking these venues to consider using the coasters in the lead up to big events, like the Christmas season, major sporting events, and Australia Day, which is when domestic and family violence cases typically surge.

“Coasters are a simple but effective way to reach many people across Townsville with this essential messaging. It’s important that all Townsville residents are aware that domestic and family violence is not OK now or ever.”

Townsville Liquor Accord chairperson Arthur McMahon said bringing the coasters to the community was three months in the making.

“What we hope to achieve is to get the message out there that you are not alone and there are people who care and that there is help out there,” Mr McMahon said.

“The venues will have their posters up in places that are visible to all and the coasters will be put out there on different days and nights where venues think they have mixed crowds.

“It is important to have a united approach as we can use the venues in the Accord as a vehicle to deliver the message groups want put out there in a more effective way than if they were to do it by themselves.

“The coasters may attract attention from someone who is in a dangerous relationship and can see on the coasters there is help out there, or another person may see the coasters and may not have any problems themselves but might know someone who may need help and take the coaster with them and pass the information on. I have been told that has happened and the person in question was very grateful.”

Acting Superintendent Chris Lawson said this is a positive initiative to raise awareness about domestic violence in the community.

“These coasters will be seen by a variety of people and will promote conversations about healthy and unhealthy relationships and behaviours,” he said.

“There is never any excuse that condones domestic and family violence.”

The coasters will be distributed across participating Townsville venues this December.