Cooktown will be home to a new counselling and support pilot program for Indigenous women and children affected by domestic and family violence.
Community Services Minister Karen Struthers said the Cooktown District Community Centre Incorporated would receive $627,000 over three years to run the Indigenous Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service.
“Violence and abuse in the home has a lasting affect on entire families, particularly women and children,” Ms Struthers said.
“The Bligh Government is committed to creating safe communities and has launched a five-year strategy – For our sons and daughters – which trials new ways of reducing domestic violence.
“This new service being piloted in Cooktown will provide much-needed support such as counselling for women and children who are suffering because of domestic and family violence.
“Outreach services will visit the surrounding communities of Laura, Hopevale and Wujal Wujal to assist those who need it, when they need it most.”
Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said the service will also undertake community education to raise awareness of the impact of domestic and family violence.
“Domestic violence is a community issue and we need to take a stand to show that abuse of any kind is unacceptable,” he said.
“This program will help increase community intolerance towards violence and encourage more victims and witnesses to seek help in an effort to reduce incidence rates.”
Cooktown District Community Centre will also receive a one-off grant of more than $99 000 towards establishment costs.
“The Centre already receives Bligh Government funding for a range of community programs. It is a well-known service provider with a proven track record of working cooperatively with the entire community,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I have every confidence that it will deliver the best quality counselling and support services to people in the Cooktown region.”
The new Cooktown service forms part of the $3.2 million Indigenous Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Support Services pilot program, which also includes trial services at Cherbourg and the Torres Strait.
Media Contact: Minister’s office 3235 4286
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