Local charity, Got Your Back Sista, will ask the people of the Hunter to say no to domestic violence at the Knights V Titans game at McDonald Jones stadium on 21 July 2018.
This will be the second year that the charity has teamed-up with the Knights to use the half-time break to raise the awareness of violence in our community.
It is expected that about 350 people wearing Say No t-shirts will march onto the field at half time while a video and anthem are played. The crowd will be asked to join the activity by using signs that will be distributed on the day that say no to domestic violence and yes to ending the silence.
Got Your Back Sista Founding CEO, Melissa Histon said that more than 10,000 participated in the half-time initiative in August 2017.
“While we had a couple of hundred people on the field wearing Say No t-shirts, there were a further 10,000 people around the field who participated by holding the signs and joining in the initiative,” Melissa said.
“Got Your Back Sista hopes to unite all sectors of the community to say that we will not tolerate violence in our community. Sadly, most of us work with, live near, or are related to someone who has experienced violence in their home or in their lives. It is not acceptable, and it is never okay and we must do everything in our power to stop people being violent to each other.
“We are most grateful to the Newcastle Knights and a number of local business that help us take this message to one of the region’s most popular community events. It is such a tremendous opportunity to invite thousands of local people to join this important conversation.”
The Newcastle Knights’ game against the Gold Coast Titans will be played at 3pm on Saturday 21 July 2018.
The event will also serve to raise funds for women who are establishing their lives after fleeing domestic violence.
Got Your Back Sista was established as a registered charity in 2016 and works in collaboration with local refuges and services to provide women with vouchers and store credits to purchase essential items as part of the establishment of a new and safe home for themselves and their children. Items have included beds, refrigerators, household consumable items and kitchen appliances. Last year the charity also began a range of new initiatives including self-defence classes, and mentoring workshops. The organisation has to date provided more than $100,000 in support to local women.
IMAGE | Participants in the half-time Say No event last year.
