Ballina RSL and Cherry Street Sports Group have joined the Clubs for Community United Against Domestic Violence, by becoming providers of the StandbyU Shield, a discreet wearable device designed to give domestic violence victims access to immediate support.
“It’s our hope that, by becoming a provider of the StandbyU Shield, and equipping our staff with essential skills, we can quickly respond to individuals seeking help,” Cherry Street Sports Group CEO Tere Sheehan said.
“It’s our hope this is just the first steps, and the idea continue to grow and spread to other clubs throughout New South Wales and beyond.”
The StandbyU Shield was developed by StandbyU Foundation founder Chris Boyle. The pendant, watch-type device enables vulnerable individuals to instantly alert their chosen network of supporters discreetly, creating a one-way live audio connection. This device allows up to five trusted responders to listen in and intervene safely, with the capability to escalate directly to emergency services if needed.
“It’s more than a personal safety device, the power of the shield is how it creates connections between people at risk and their family and friends, helping them to share their story, have them feel heard, but more importantly enable safe mobilisation of families, friends, and community to prevent domestic violence incidents from escalating,” Boyle said.
He emphasised the importance of human coannections and proactiveness to help stamp out domestic violence.
“Abuse, domestic and family violence, depression, and mental health issues are all amplified by isolation, and at StandbyU, our solution is really simple: it is the important thing to us and that’s human connection,” he said.
“Connections are the way that we will start to prevent the scourge of domestic violence in our communities by bringing people who are vulnerable. At the Foundation, our focus is on those human connections. We believe safety is through the presence of a connection, not the absence of a threat.
“There is a lot of noise in this space where people are doing things after the fact, reactive tertiary systems are not keeping people safe. People keep people safe, and those family and friends who, if they knew would drop anything at any time for someone they love, that is as simple as our solution is.”
Under the initiative, staff from both clubs received specialised training so that they could offer assistance to those suffering from domestic violence. Guest or community member experiencing domestic violence or abuse can now approach any staff member or anyone wearing the purple Clubs for Community button badge at either venue, and immediately receive confidential support and access to a StandbyU Shield device.
“As community clubs, we’re fortunate to be in a position to help in this unique way where any guest of our venues needing support can reach out discreetly and get assistance discreetly when they need it most,” Ballina RSL Club CEO Guy Diven said.
Ballina RSL and Cherry Street Sports Group join other clubs who are already supporters of the initiative including Carina Leagues Club, Buffs Club Mount Isa, Dooleys, and Mounties Group.