Photo: Supplied.
As domestic and family violence continues to affect communities across Australia, a Brisbane community club is putting its support behind grassroots prevention, education and safety initiatives designed to help people before they reach crisis point.
The Carina Leagues Club has pledged an additional $160,000 through its Carina Cares program to continue supporting domestic and family violence initiatives over the next 12 months, including an expanded partnership with Brisbane-based StandbyU Foundation.
As part of this commitment, the club has pledged a further $120,000 to StandbyU to support victim-survivors and community education, with $50,000 of that amount raised at the annual StandbyU Long Lunch in May.
But the partnership is also about more than funding. StandbyU branding will feature on the uniforms of more than 25 local netball, basketball, rugby league, hockey, football and triathlon clubs, turning sporting fields into another place to promote respectful relationships and encourage conversations about domestic violence.
Carina Leagues Club chairman Wade Core said the club had a responsibility to support action within the community.
“The devastating reality we’ve had to recognise is that domestic violence touches every single person in our community in one way or another,” Wade said.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent domestic violence before it starts, and this is where cultural change starts – within communities, having these conversations early.
“Our sporting clubs are full of role models, and when these players pull on their jerseys, they’re also becoming ambassadors for respect, healthy relationships and looking out for one another.”
For StandbyU Foundation Chief Visionary Officer Chris Boyle, the funding will help turn that message into practical support.
“Our relationship with Carina Leagues Club has grown over several years into a genuine community partnership,” he said. “Their funding directly supports our Education Officer, the provision of StandbyU Shields to vulnerable people and our broader community engagement across the Carina network.”
Established in 2018 by Chris himself, StandbyU helps people experiencing domestic and family violence, abuse, isolation and other safety concerns build a trusted network around them. Its StandbyU Shield is a discreet personal safety device that can connect a person at risk with nominated family, friends or support workers, whereas the foundation’s Shield Charity Program provides Shields to children and young people and adults experiencing the same issues.
