Simone Patterson OAM launches bold DV awareness campaign on Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney & Canberra

Simone Patterson, founder of The Sanctuary Women, Children, and Pets Refuge on the Gold Coast, has had enough.

This year, we have witnessed 72 women killed due to domestic violence in Australia, with 11 children included in this heartbreaking number.

Simone is launching an awareness campaign and protest throughout December 2023, featuring red shoes and crosses, along with photos of all the victims killed this year. Simone will incorporate a significant amount of red at each event mentioned below.

Simone is advocating for politicians to enforce mandatory ankle bracelets for all high-risk domestic violence perpetrators, and women should be provided with safety watches to give them warning and time to escape from potential attacks.

We urgently need stricter sentencing for perpetrators of domestic violence.

"Every three minutes in Australia, someone calls the police about domestic violence, with many women on the Gold Coast fleeing with nowhere to go or staying to protect their animals."

"At The Sanctuary, we are the only shelter on the Gold Coast that accepts both pets and boys over 12 years old to ensure there is no barrier to women leaving a violent situation."

Ms. Patterson's driving passion to establish the shelter began in 2015 when she attended the Allison Baden-Clay rally and was devastated by the plight of women affected by domestic violence.

"The problem is enormous, and not enough resources or expertise are being dedicated to help women in these desperate circumstances, so I took action."

As a qualified social worker with a background in women's refuges, drug and alcohol, foster care, and prisons, Ms. Patterson mortgaged her home to raise the funds to establish The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is privately funded and heavily relies on donations and support from the community.

"We receive no government funding, and there have been several times when I thought I would have to shut the doors due to a lack of funds, but so far, we have managed to keep operating." 

1. Tom Tate's office, Gold Coast Council, Thursday 21/12/23, 1 pm
    47 Nerang St, Southport, QLD

2. Parliament House, Brisbane, 1 pm, Friday 22/12/23
    2A George St, Brisbane, QLD

3. Sydney Parliament House, 1 pm, Wednesday 27/12/23
    6 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW

4. Canberra Parliament House, 1 pm, Thursday 28/12/23
    Parliament Dr, Canberra, ACT

For more information about The Sanctuary Women, Children, and Pets Refuge, please visit: sanctuaryrefuge.com.au

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Contact for Interview:

Simone Patterson OAM BSW
Founder/Director
The Sanctuary Women, Children, and Pets Refuge also known as "Retreat for Kids Inc."

E: simone@sanctuaryrefuge.com.au
P: 0422031199
W: www.sanctuaryrefuge.com.au