by Marcus Priaulx
Barambah PaCE
Cherbourg State School children have done their bit to help stamp domestic violence out by marching around the town to spread the message that domestic violence isn’t ok … “Not Now, Not Ever”.
Police and domestic violence survivors came to the school to talk to the children earlier this month.
They learned it was okay to talk to police or other adults if they saw people hurting each other because domestic violence is a bad, sad, horrible thing that makes children feel scared and unsafe.
“We’re saying ‘no more violence’ because we want a happy community, happy people, happy children and lots of smiles,” domestic violence survivor Toni Jeavons said.
She suffered at the hands of a stepfather and then a husband before she walked out: “I was a brave, smart, beautiful woman.”
Toni then joined the Queensland Police Service, counselled domestic violence victims and is the author of a book called, “Wise Grasshopper”.
Cherbourg police constable Amy Dalton said 34 people had been killed by their partners in Australia so far this year.
“Our hands were given to us not to assault a loved one but to protect them, to love them and to care for them,” Amy said.
“It’s a sign of weakness when you commit an act of domestic violence. It’s a sign of strength, of power, when you walk away, when you say ‘no’ to domestic violence.”
The children, teachers, Cherbourg and South Burnett community members then walked around the town, led by teacher Frank Malone who beat a drum to get people’s attention.
