A RED bench stands at The Springfield Anglican College as a beacon to raise awareness and community education on domestic violence.
Unveiled earlier in June at the local secondary campus, The Red Bench project is an initiative of the Red Rose Foundation and aims to raise awareness and community education on domestic and family violence in a vibrant and permanent way.
“The Springfield Anglican College is proud to stand alongside more than 300 other organisations that have also erected or painted red benches around the country,” principal Steven Morris said.
“Our student leaders have led this project, which sends a clear and permanent reminder that we can all ‘take a seat’ to take a stand against domestic violence.”
Co-Chair of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council and Chair of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation,Vanessa Fowler, spoke to students on the importance of what the red bench represented.
“It’s important that we start speaking to our young people about the difference between respectful and unhealthy relationships from an early age, in age-appropriate ways,” Ms Fowler said.
“It’s vital that they are aware of their language and actions, and the impact these can have on their friends.”
The red bench was blessed by college chaplain Rev Jonathan Kemp.
Year 12 Service and Sustainability Captain Nevaeh Kailani said: “We were very passionate about the Red Bench project. “It is a way that we, as a community, can stand against domestic violence as well as raise awareness for victims and survivors who may be suffering in silence.
Fellow captain Lilli Sayer said: “The Red Bench shows that we are there for each other.”
