No stone left unturned in support for victims-survivors during Sexual Violence Awareness Month

More than 80 intricately painted rocks displayed at the Townsville Sexual Assault Support Service have helped to send messages of hope, allyship and healing to victim-survivors during Queensland’s Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

The collaborative art project has been coordinated locally by the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), which is a key partner in the Townsville Region Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).

The Townsville Region SART is a partnership between the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Police Service, SASS, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to provide a coordinated response for people who have experienced sexual violence that is immediate, specialist, integrated and sustained.

SART is based in Townsville and extends responses to victim-survivors within regional communities and continues to represent a best practice model in Queensland.

Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit nursing director Kadell Fotinos said the painted rocks create an art piece which would be displayed by the Sexual Assault Support Service
"This project is a visual representation of our community standing in solidarity with victim-survivors," Ms Fotinos said.

The project was led by SASS member Maree La Spina who said each rock had been individually painted by victim-survivors and allies in the community.

“Together they form a single, powerful image of strength and resilience in line with the Queensland Sexual Assault Network theme of ‘together we can’,” Ms La Spina said.

"The act of creating art can be incredibly therapeutic, and the final piece will serve as a permanent, visible symbol of collective hope and support for everyone who walks through the doors of the Sexual Assault Support Service."

Townsville Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Rex O’Rourke said the health service was a committed partner in the SART response.

"SART is a critical service for our community, ensuring victim-survivors receive a coordinated and compassionate response that integrates medical care, forensic services, and ongoing emotional and psychological support," Mr O’Rourke said.

"Our role in this partnership is to provide timely and sensitive medical and forensic care, and we work closely with our SART partners to ensure the entire journey for a victim- survivor is as seamless and supportive as possible.

“Initiatives like this art project are vital for raising awareness during Sexual Violence Awareness Month, helping to reduce stigma and encourage conversations that can lead to people seeking the help they need.”

SASS CEO Cathy Crawford, said Sexual Violence Awareness Month reminds us that preventing and responding to sexual violence is not the responsibility of one service alone – it requires a whole of community commitment.

“Every survivor deserves to be met with belief, safety and choice at every step,” Ms Crawford said.

“This is the very purpose of SART, where health, justice and community services can work together in a trauma and violence informed way to create a culture that refuses to tolerate sexual violence in our community.

“When we centre victim-survivors and act collectively, we can establish safety, justice and healing.”