Men’s Shed backs DV safety support rollout

Pete Mansfield, Rob Burrell and Paul Laurie with Val France.  

Speak Up Now – Stop Domestic & Family Violence (Maleny & Blackall Range), in partnership with the Mooloolah Valley Men’s Shed, has installed the first “Get Help Here” Safety Card Holder in the Maleny Library.

This marks the beginning of a new community-driven initiative to increase access to discreet domestic and family violence support information as well as other useful emergency and helpline contact numbers.

The project originated after Speak Up Now delivered a presentation to members of the Mooloolah Valley Men’s Shed about the important role respected senior men can play in preventing and responding to domestic and family violence. The thoughtful discussion that followed led to the creation of a simple but powerful idea: a discreet, visible holder offering immediate access to safety cards and support contacts.

Fifty Safety Card Holders have already been ordered, with distribution to begin across Maleny and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in the coming weeks. Initial placement will focus on medical and allied health services, law enforcement, chemists, hairdressers, barbers, and other community-facing businesses committed to supporting a safer region

A DV Safe Phone collection box has also been installed at the Maleny Library, enabling community members to donate old mobile phones that can be repurposed to help victimsurvivors access emergency communication.

Val France, from Speak Up Now says “Creating safer communities starts with practical, visible actions. Having the first Safety Card Holder installed in the Maleny Library means that anyone who needs help can access it quietly and safely.

This project shows what happens when community members step up, listen, and work together for change.”

Paul Laurie, from the Mooloolah Valley Men’s Shed says “Our members felt strongly that we wanted to support Speak Up Now in a meaningful way. Domestic and family violence affects whole communities, and we all have a responsibility to be part of the solution. Helping create these Safety Card Holders is one practical way we can stand beside the people doing this important work and help ensure support is easy to find when someone needs it.”

If your business would like a Safety Card holder then please contact Val @speakupnowstopdomesticviolence@gmail.com.