NQ campaign against gender violence

North Queensland Women’s Legal Service (NQWLS) has launched a new billboard campaign for this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which starts on 25 November.

Billboards across Townsville and Mt Isa will display the message: Digital abuse is still abuse, encouraging the community to recognise the seriousness of online abuse as part of the annual campaign.

One in two Australian adults have experienced technology-facilitated abuse and one in four Australians have perpetrated it at least once. It is now one of the most common forms of abuse in the country, cutting across age, gender, culture and location.

NQWLS Acting Director Hayley Grainger said digital abuse is real abuse and it has real impacts.

“As technology becomes more ingrained in our everyday lives, we’re seeing more clients experiencing harassment, threats, image-based abuse and coercive control online,” she said.

“These billboards send a strong message that this behaviour is never acceptable, online or off.

“Every action counts. Every report, every challenge to disrespect, helps create a safer digital world for women and girls. We’re proud to partner with South32 to bring this message to our communities.”

Campaign partner, South32 Cannington’s Vice President Operations Rob Jackson said the company was proud to partner with the awareness campaign. 

“We continue to take active steps to ensure an inclusive, safe and respectful environment in our workplaces, and make a difference in the communities where we operate through support and education,” he said.

NQWLS encourages individuals, families, schools, workplaces and community organisations to take part by sharing their 16 Days of Activism social media campaign messages and taking part in the daily online safety actions. It has created a toolkit.

The billboards will remain in place throughout the 16-day period, sparking conversations and awareness across the region.

The 16 days begins with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November and ends with International Human Rights Day on 10 December.