"Missing link" for those fleeing DV

Pictured: Founder Sally Butler with donations for the new DV Community Matters charity.

DV Community Matters, a new charity to help victims of domestic violence in this region, will be launched in Lawnton on Saturday.

Around 350 people are expected in the main hall at Pine Rivers Showgrounds for the organisation’s first fundraiser.

DV Community Matters was founded by Sally Butler, a survivor of domestic violence, to help fill a gap in support for DV victims.

When Sally left an abusive situation, she found little in the Moreton Bay region to assist her and her children “get back on their feet”.

So she decided it was time to become “the missing link” in a chain for women, men and families fleeing domestic violence.

DV Community Matters supports “first responders”, such as CADA (Centre Against Domestic Abuse) by providing essentials for the those in need.

In its first two weeks, the organisation helped six families furnish new homes “down to the last teaspoon", assisted with clothing and gave welcome home packs.

Sally said many organisations had “already made contact” with DV Community Matters and handed over clients needing further assistance.

“We need the Moreton Bay community to help make this event successful and special to many victims reaching out for help,” the president of DV Community Matters said.

“Our team gets paid by seeing clients shed tears of joy, seeing hope in their eyes, hearing positive outcomes, smiles that were once forbidden and clients' new support systems/ friends and friends that eventually become family.

“We all have one goal, which is to help as many people as we can, as best we can, and to decrease the statistics of domestic violence in the Moreton Bay region.”

Guest speakers on Saturday will include CADA manager Sue Prado and Sergeant Samantha Sanderson from the Queensland Police Moreton District Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit.

There will also be emergency services, school boards and chaplains, sports clubs, Salvation Army, Mission Australia, Encircle, counselling services, politicians, medical representatives and survivors of domestic violence.

The cash-only fundraiser, which runs from 2-6pm, will also have raffles, lucky door prizes, lucky seat prizes and a silent auction.

Tickets $25 adults, $15 children. Tables of 8 and 16 available. Buy in advance or on the door.

Dress code smart casual and any left-over food will be donated to the homeless.

DV Community Matters also has a GoFundMe page. Click here.

Pine Rivers Showgrounds is at 757 Gympie Rd, Lawnton. For ticket details and more information email dvcommunitymatters@hotmail.com