Purple bench launched at CDU to raise awareness of domestic violence

By
Philippe Perez
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Wendy Lever-Henderson (right) at the launch of the purple bench CDU Alice Springs campus earlier this month. Alos pictured is CDU's Vice-Chancellor for Central Australia Jay Walker. Picture: Charles Darwin University

The Alice Springs campus of Charles Darwin University (CDU) has installed the Northern Territory’s first Purple Bench, continuing a worldwide movement to honour domestic violence victims.

The bench is part of a movement that began in Canada in 2015 and was made locally. It has a plaque installed on it with information on where to get support if they or someone they know is being affected by family violence.

Community Services Lecturer in the College of Health & Human Services at CDU Wendy Lever Henderson says the bench acts as a community service and honours women who have dies as a result of family violence.

There are plans to install the benches at the CDU’s Katherine and Casuarina campuses and a number of free public information sessions on family violence will be held at the Charles Darwin University campuses in upcoming months.

Wendy Lever-Henderson Wendy Lever-Henderson has been working in the community services sector for more than 20 years. She recently launched the first purple bench at Charles Darwin University’s Alice Springs campus. Picture: Charles Darwin University

If you need urgent assistance in relation to family violence, please contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or via www.1800respect.org.au. Call 000 in an emergency.

Wendy Lever Henderson spoke to CAAMA’s Philippe Perez (audio below):