Inala Says kNOw
The month of May signifies Domestic and Family Violence Awareness month. Historically, this issue has been one which has been silenced, hushed and considered taboo by many people – it also plagues many communities throughout Australia and the world. Whilst this is not specifically an “Inala problem”, Glenala State High School is using the significance of this month as a starting point to begin raising awareness of the issue, speaking opening and honestly about the issue and by engaging the community of Inala with community service providers.
This year Glenala hosted its second Domestic and Family Violence Symposium, known as “The Inala Says kNOw Symposium”. Almost 200 Glenala State High School students, 13 Ipswich State High School students, 30 family members, 40 community service provider staff members, teachers and support staff at Glenala and over 50 school guests (including QPS executives and officers) from the community all converged within at Glenala State High School yesterday to unite under the banner of “Inala Says kNOw”. The symposium’s aim was to bring this issue to the surface, shine a light on this and to show the students of Glenala and its community that there is a vast amount of specialised support within the suburb of Inala.
Glenala truly shone on yesterday as it lead the charge on this ugly issue. “Inala Says kNOw” stickers (designed by a Glenala student) have been placed on over 70 local business shop fronts to show that the conversation about domestic and family violence has continued outside of the symposium and that the community is taking a collective stance against it.
Guest speakers Kaitlin Pierce from Domestic Violence Action Centre, Leroy Loggins from the Leroy Loggins program and ex-NBL basketball hero were the guest speakers which shared their stories and information with the captivated audience.
Senior Sergeant Virginia Dixon returned again this year (a 2017 guest speaker) to take a seat with our guest speakers in the informative Q&A panel session, where Glenala students had the opportunity to ask the panellists questions about domestic and family violence.
The students and community were also highlighted in the short film which cut to the core of the “Inala Says kNOw” movement.
The Inala Says kNOw symposium is an example of how a school can bring together and unite a community – even on issues such as Domestic and Family Violence.
