WHY WE WERE FORMED  
Following an increasing series of incidents of harrassment and violence against gay and lesbian community members, the QLD Aids Council (QUAC) was bombed in June 1999.  Not only did this event send shock waves around our community, shortly after this the Regional Director was stabbed in the neck with a syringe as he returned to work after his lunch break.  The Townsville/Thuringowa community response to this violence was swift and decisive.  A number of concerned community members banded together to form the Anti-Violence Committee.  We have grown from this time to include representatives from the Anti-Discrimination Commission of Queensland, Education Queensland, Family Planning, Qld Aids Council, SQWISI, business and community groups and individuals and Townsville City Council's City Safe Program on our management committee, whilst still retaining our grass roots links.

MISSION STATEMENT  
Our aim is to raise awareness of homophobia and homophobic related violence in the twin cities in an effort to reduce the incidence and impact of homophobic related crime.

WHO WE ARE?  
A committee of volunteers made up of community members and community organisations including local Council, The Aids Council, SQWISI, Family Planning, Anti-Discrimination, Qld Education, to name just some of our members.

For one year (2000-2001) we were a federally funded project under the Department of Family and Community Service's 'Stronger Families and Communities' Strategy. 

We were also successful, (2001) in obtaining a one off grant from the Breakwater Community Trust to produce anti-homophobia posters featuring the band "Regurgitator". We also received a small grant from the Qld Department of Families (2000) to assist with the promotion of the Safe Place Project which enabled us to employ a part time coordinator for 6 months.

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE OUR AIMS? 

• Community Education
• Public Awareness
• Networking
• Establishment of a Volunteer Program
• Production and Distrubution of Resources
• Violence Prevention Strategies
• Lobbying for legislative change
• In conjunction with the Queensland Police Service establishing and maintaining a GLBT Police Liaison Officer network in the twin cities.