Community
People with disability build trust and connections with local police through colour splash event
Colours, smiles and laughter filled the Benalla Lake boardwalk as community members with disability and local police walked in unison for a special event.
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On Friday, April 4, disability services providers Scope and Yooralla, in partnership with Victoria Police, held a Community Colour Splash in Benalla to help people with disability build better connections with local police.
Many people with disability experience a lack of trust in the police, often hesitating to report crimes. This can stem from challenges they face when reporting, including difficulties in providing clear accounts or concerns about not being believed.
The Community Colour Splash aimed to dismantle these barriers by giving people with disability a chance to build their confidence in reporting crime, build trust with the local police and feel safe to access their support.
As attendees strolled along the Benalla Lake boardwalk, community members and police officers alike were showered in brightly coloured powder and paint.
The event ended at the barbecues behind Benalla Library, where lunch was provided and participants were given the opportunity to mingle and connect.
“We had a nice run ... it was a bit hectic to start off with,” Justin said.
“I just like how everyone turned up and got wet and comfortable.”
“(My favourite part was) when me and Tom crossed the finishing line together ... we were like, ‘yup!’” Georgie said.
“I really just hoped that we could all come down here and come together as a community and just have a great, fun day with each other,” Senior Sergeant Jenni Lamond said.
“So that members of the community can get to know a local police member, know that it’s not just when you need us, when you’re scared or you’re going through something traumatic, that it’s ... you can come and talk to us about anything.
“We’re approachable, we’re fun, and we’re just people too.
“The smiles and the laughing that I heard from the participants today was definitely the best part, I think, and I think the best part for others was getting their boss covered in paint.”
The colour splash was made possible by a $1500 ‘Social Connections’ grant from Benalla Rural City Council’s Social Inclusion Action Group, funded by the Victorian Government’s Department of Health.
“I think it’s been great, absolutely amazing to have the police and Scope and Yooralla together and give events for the people that are part of Yooralla and Scope, because of the inclusivity,” Mayor Bernie Hearn said.
“I’ve been speaking to Scope, most of the time their activities are out of town, so they’re excited to be able to do something in their own town.
“And to bring the police on board, too ... they’ve had a ball. I’ve just been speaking to the head of the police, and they were saying that the staff are absolutely thrilled with what happened and how much fun it’s been, and she said this is a good day.
“It’s about the community and bringing everyone together and that’s a great way to do it.”