A national domestic violence prevention program will be rolled out to students across the Western Downs with Arrow Energy funding.
‘Love Bites’ is a school-based domestic and family violence and sexual assault prevention initiative, designed by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) and facilitated by local service providers.
Arrow has partnered with Myall Youth and Community Network Centre (MYCNC) to take the program to Year 9 students across the Western Downs Region.
“Love Bites will educate local students about the prevalence and forms of domestic violence,” MYCNC coordinator Leisa Finch said.
“Students learn how to identify early signs of domestic violence within their own relationships and how to deal with them appropriately.
“It provides a safe environment where young people are introduced to local service providers who can support them, their families and friends.”
Group discussions will prompt students to think about what is acceptable and what is not.
“These sessions will also cover pertinent issues facing teens, for example the taking of intimate photographs and the massive consequences of passing these on to other people – this is an area causing huge concern for authorities at the moment,” Ms Finch said.
“It is so important to have these conversations – conversations that aren’t necessarily covered in the school curriculum.”
“The ultimate goal of this program is to protect young people in their formative years so they can develop unhindered to their full potential as adults,” Arrow Vice President External Relations and Tenure Management Leisa Elder said.
“Helping to bring it to the Western Downs fits very well with Arrow’s desire to contribute to the long-term health and safety of communities in its footprint.
“My hope is that Love Bites might be a reference point that guides these young people away from mistakes that have any lasting effect on the rest of their lives.”
MYCNC plans to bring the program to Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Cecil Plains State School, Jandowae State School, Bell State School, Tara Shire State College Chinchilla State School, Miles State High and Wandoan State School.
Arrow is supporting Love Bites through its Brighter Futures community investment program.
Other Surat Basin groups supported by Brighter Futures in the latest funding round are:
- Rotary Club of Dalby, for the RYDA Road Safety Program, for senior students which focusses on encouraging better attitudes towards road safety as a driver or a passenger
- Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Dalby Delicious and DeLightful Festival
- Bell Show Society, for first aid services to attend the two day annual campdraft
- Jandowae Trail Bike Ride, for ambulances services to attend the annual event
- Millmerran Pony Club, for first aid services at the Millmerran Pony Club Campdraft and Gymkhana
- Weekend as well as training for safe horsemanship
- Dalby State High School, for NAIDOC week celebrations
- Dalby Tri Sports, for the Dalby Triathlon
- Scripture Union Queensland, for the annual fundraising Chinchilla Chaplaincy Restaurant program
Brighter Futures supports local, not-for-profit groups on projects that build community capacity in health, safety, education and environmental awareness. Brighter Futures has contributed more than $13 million to community projects across Queensland since 2011.
For more information, visit www.arrowenergy.com.au or email [email protected].