New Red Bench unveiled during DV Prevention Month

By Jennifer Kent

MAY is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, and on Mother’s Day, May 8, Maleny and Blackall Range’s Speak Up Now – Stop Domestic Violence & Family Violence group unveiled yet another very special red bench at Montville Uniting Church.

This brings the total of red benches, which serve as a permanent reminder that domestic violence occurs in all our communities, across the range to six.

The benches, as organised by the Speak Up Now group, are part of the Red Bench Project through national not for profit charity the Red Rose Foundation. The presence of a Red Bench, the charity explains, is to raise awareness of domestic violence and provide an opportunity for this important issue to remain visible.

Speak Up Now spokesperson Val France shared that the bench at Montville is one of two being unveiled in May in collaboration with the Uniting Church, with the second bench at Palmwoods Uniting Church to be unveiled later this month.

“It is an important time to remember there are a number of women who’ve lost their lives to domestic violence,” Val said.

“These red benches serve to raise awareness for domestic violence and are important in starting conversations on what we can do to help prevent domestic violence, as well as keeping those conversations going.

“All the red benches across the range have come from the collaboration between groups and individuals who all share the same goal, which is to raise awareness for this important issue.”

Val explained that the support they’ve received from all community groups and individuals since the first red bench was unveiled outside Maleny Post Office in 2020, has been really encouraging.

She shared Speak Up Now is currently in discussions with the Anglican Parish of Maleny to add three more benches at their Churches in Maleny, Montville and Kenilworth, which will bring the total across the range to ten.

Main image: George and Bernadette Woodward