LOCAL police and youth mental health organisation headspace Dubbo have joined forces to promote a message "to be proud of who you are and the right to live without fear of judgement".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes ahead of the annual Wear It Purple Day to be celebrated at the Church Street rotunda on August 28.
Wear it Purple is a not-for-profit project initiated by two Australian students in response to a growing number of media reports of teenage suicides linked to homophobic bullying.
Since 2012, the NSW Police Force has supported the event through school visits and presentations, community activities and on social media.
Orana Local Area Command gay and lesbian liaison officer Inspector Gemini Bakos said officers would be among those at the rotunda between 11am and 1pm, wearing approved purple police shirts to represent the NSW Police Force's stance on homophobic bullying and related teen suicide.
They and representatives from headspace Dubbo would have stalls distributing information and promotional materials to raise awareness and support diversity.
Inspector Bakos said given headspace's focus on youth, it made sense to work with the organisation.
"The day itself is for everyone, it's about inclusiveness, a day where everyone can be aware of and show support for diversity," she said.
"NSW Police are actively behind Wear It Purple Day, youth suicide is on the rise and it's a huge issue.
"A lot of young people in our schools and community feel alone and don't know where to turn.
"This can lead to mental health issues, substance abuse and they hit crisis point because they have not been accepted."
The likelihood of suicide was seven-times greater for youths who suffered discrimination, prejudice or homophobia because of their sexuality, sex or status as gender diverse, according to NSW Police Force corporate sponsor for sexuality, sex and gender diversity, Superintendent Tony Crandell.
"Police officers should be seen as trusted community members," he said.
"They can make a real difference in the lives of young people experiencing homophobic or transphobic bullying."
Headspace youth access and awareness worker Nicholas Steepe said while Wear It Purple Day was a particular day to raise awareness, the issues it aimed to address were a year-round concern for the wider community.
He said headspace was a proactive organisation that aimed to raise awareness of and support young people of diverse sexualities, sex and gender.
"There is probably not as much awareness in Dubbo and surrounding areas as there is in metropolitan areas, I think we have some way to go but it's great that Headspace and the NSW Police Force are actively trying to raise awareness," he said.
