Palmwoods residents will wake to the roar of women on International Women’s Day, March 8.

That’s when a  group of 40 women will gather at Homegrown Cafe in Little Main Street to support a Young Women’s domestic violence prevention program called ‘Rebecca’.

The breakfast event’s theme is “Don’t be too polite girls”, supporting the messages from Australian of the Year 2021 Grace Tame. Guest speaker is former Queensland Minister for Women Dr Karen Struthers.

Rebecca is a new support group and the brain-child of Sunshine Coast based community service, IFYS. Coordinator Stacey Hampshire said Rebecca aims to build awareness and confidence in young women who have experienced domestic violence relationships so they could regain control of their lives. 

“The young women were not only able to confidently identify that domestic violence is not just when a man hits you, or sexually abuses you, but when he uses coercion to manipulate and control your thoughts and feelings,” she said. “Like telling you what to wear, who your friends are or convincing you to provide your passwords ‘because he loves you’. 

“It was so encouraging to be a part of the young women’s journey throughout the group, being able to support and educate them to become stronger, more confident in themselves, and know that they should expect respect in their relationships”.

Women and girls have smiled and been polite for too long, said Dr Struthers. “But violence and sexual abuse continues to spiral,” she said. 

“Like Grace, it’s time for us to roar and demand action. Every day girls and women know this might be a day that they are harmed. 

“We all look behind and cross a road if we see a threatening man, we worry if the train is late and we arrive at the station in the dark —we are constantly doing risk assessments. 

“Wouldn’t it be a relief if the next generation of young women didn’t have to worry about that. Wouldn’t it be great if they could expect respect and get it every day. 

“But local news reports and the court reports remind us everyday of the risks girls and women face on the street and in our own homes.”

The event is the brain-child of Ange Barnes of Palmwoods Psychology. “I just wanted to create a local event to provide my community with an opportunity to both celebrate and to keep the awareness on the very real issues that still exist,” said Ange.

To attend the breakfast at Homegrown Café or for more information on the breakfast, contact the organiser Ange Barnes, Palmwoods Psychology ange_barnes@yahoo.com.au. For information on ‘Rebecca’ contact Stacey Hampshire, IFYSdfv@ifys.com.au.