The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
Minister for Social Services
Member for Kingston
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Assistant Minister for Social Services
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Member for Richmond
1800RESPECT – Australia’s national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support service – has partnered with Blacktown City Council in NSW, in an innovative initiative where garbage trucks are used to promote social change.
At the launch in Blacktown today, a Council garbage truck wrapped with the message, ‘Violence and Abuse is never ok. 1800RESPECT can help’, was unveiled as part of the Council’s community support services awareness initiative.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth praised the creative, yet important, campaign by Blacktown City Council.
“The Government values its close collaboration with state, territory and local governments to reach people affected by family, domestic, and sexual violence in all corners of the community, no matter where they live,” Minister Rishworth said.
“All levels of government must take action to end violence against women and children, and support those who are recovering and healing.
“Through this campaign, Blacktown City Council is showing their dedication to raising awareness for family, domestic, and sexual violence support services and this message can be seen in suburban homes all across the council when the garbage truck drives by.”
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reports show that in 2020 and 2021, Blacktown reported the highest number of incidents of domestic violence assaults in NSW.
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, emphasised the importance of reaching people through cross-governmental collaboration.
“As Australia works to achieve our goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation, the Government must collaborate at all levels for new and fresh ideas to spread awareness,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.
“Using a garbage truck is a simple way to promote critical support services that are nationally available to help people, including 1800RESPECT.
“These trucks are at the doorstep of every household, at least once a week, and promote support services in a highly visible and accessible way.”
Mayor of Blacktown City Tony Bleasdale OAM said the Council’s vehicles for social change program doubled as an important communication channel with local residents.
“It is my hope that the 1800RESPECT truck will be part of the process that inspires conversation and transformation. We want to help make our City a much safer place for our women and our children,” Mr Bleasdale said.
“There is so much work still to be done in putting an end to domestic violence. The 1800RESPECT wrapping on the Council garbage truck is a unique way of communicating this vital message to our residents and visitors in Blacktown City.”
The Australian Government has invested $2.3 billion across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Budgets towards implementing the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Other organisations involved in Blacktown City Council’s garbage truck initiative include MensLine, Lifeline, Kids Helpline, QLife, and Dementia Australia.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, family, domestic, or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au
MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting www.mensline.org.au.
