Campaigns & Events
NQWLS is involved in campaigns and events that encourage public discussion around Domestic and Family violence and other issues affecting women and so women know where to get help and how to access it.
We regularly collaborate with community services, businesses and other for-purpose organisations on joint campaigns and events to amplify our message and bolster support for our vision of a safer North Queensland for all women and their children.
Here are a few of our regular campaigns and events:
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month
Thank you for standing with North Queensland Women’s Legal Service during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month 2026.
This year’s campaign, Defy the Norm, challenges the harmful myths, stereotypes, and attitudes that allow domestic and family violence to be misunderstood, minimised, or excused.
Too often, abuse is dismissed because it doesn’t leave visible injuries. Victim-survivors are questioned instead of believed. Harmful gender stereotypes normalise control, entitlement, and silence.
This campaign asks our communities to challenge what has become normalised - and replace it with respect, accountability, safety, and action.
We know prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
The conversations we have.
The behaviours we excuse.
The jokes we ignore.
The beliefs we pass on.
They all shape what is accepted in our communities.
This toolkit has been designed to make it easy for your organisation, workplace, school, service, or community group to support the campaign throughout May.
Any assets on this page can be downloaded and used free of charge.
With gratitude,
The NQWLS team.
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month Stakeholder Toolkit
Defy the Norm Logo
Defy the Norm Poster
Defy the Norm Email Banner
NQWLS hosts an annual community morning tea for UN Women’s International Women’s Day. The morning is well supported and attended, and we attract inspiring and courageous guest speakers.
International Women’s Day Morning Tea
Do ONE THING this May to prevent domestic and family violence
Here are a couple of ideas:
Find a coffee shop or beauty salon in Cairns or Townsville that supports our ‘Love does not equal control’ campaign and share on your socials.
Visit Our Watch and learn about the drivers of domestic and family violence.
On The Line website, learn about the power of ‘innocent jokes’ to enforce harmful gender inequalities and stop telling or laughing at them.
Find out about healthy relationships watch and share these short videos created by the Women’s Centre Townsville.
Learn about enthusiastic (affirmative ) consent read and discuss what the University of Sydney wrote.
Learn about the many forms domestic and family violence by visiting the QLD Government website.
Tackle Domestic Violence
With North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and Townsville Fire.
For over 10 years NQWLS has partnered with the North Queensland Cowboys and Townsville Fire to amplify the message that Domestic and Family Violence is not welcome in our communities.
During Domestic Violence Prevention Month, NQWLS participates in game day Community Corner activities to meaningfully engage with attendees.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Our 16 Days activities sees NQWLS collaborate with and support many community partners to collectively address Gender-Based Violence in our communities.
Together we educate and empower North Queenslanders in many ways, recent projects include:
No Excuse for Online Abuse - South 32 - Digital billboard campaign to raise awareness of Tech-Facilitated Abuse in our communities
Community Corner - Townsville Fire - Talking with Townsville Fire Supporters about NQWLS and issues affecting women
Special Screening of Tinä - Queensland Human Rights Commission & BCC Cinemas Townsville - A private screening of the movie, Tinā, to bring together our community and celebrate the impact and contribution of First Nations women on our communities
Respect is… - Mackay Women’s Services - Collaborative campaign showcasing community services and asking what respect means to different people.
Support our events
NQWLS regularly attend and provide information booths at events across the top half of Queensland including:
JCU Market Days - Cairns and Townsville
NAIDOC events
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo
Palm Wellness Mareeba
Defence Expo… and many more.