The Miles Government has partnered with Danny Green'sStop the Coward Punch (STCP) Campaign to enhance education and harm prevention awareness and minimise violence in our community.
Premier Steven Miles was joined by Cooper MP Jonty Bush and Danny Green at the Gabba today, to announce the investment and mark the start of the Stop the Coward Punch awareness AFL game, between the Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows.
$800,000 will be invested over four years to further support the campaign's educational package, that has been rolled out in secondary schools around the country since 2022.
The funding was included in Premier Miles' first budget as Premier, with record investment in community safety, underpinning the government's Community Safety Plan for Queensland.
The plan is focused on five key pillars, backed by evidence:
Stop the Coward Punch's campaign is about helping communities work proactively with law enforcement agencies, ensuring safer environments for all.
Research shows that more than 172 Australians have died as a result of coward punch assaults since 2000.
Each of these needless attacks not only impacts victims, but also affects witnesses, family, friends and first responders.
As stated by Premier Steven Miles:
"Everyone should be and feel safe no matter where they are, but especially when out socialising with friends and family.
"Coward punches are just that. Carried out by cowards.
"Enough is enough and attitudes and behaviour must change, which is why I am so proud to throw more support behind Danny Green's Stop the Coward Punch campaign.
"We all have a role to play in helping to educate the community and spread the word that it must stop."
As stated by Police Minister Mark Ryan:
"I want to thank Danny and his team for their significant efforts to enhance community safety.
"A coward punch is just that, a reckless and dangerous action that can have devastating consequences, including loss of life.
"It's up to all of us to promote a culture that condemns and rejects coward punch assaults, and I am proud to be part of a government that is supporting the efforts of Danny and his team to minimise violence and the scourge of the Coward Punch in our community.
As stated by Cooper MP and Coward Punch Board Member Jonty Bush:
"I tragically lost my father Robert to a deadly coward punch attack and know firsthand that fatal violence can touch anyone at any time.
"This is why further research is crucial to understanding the impacts of coward punch attacks on surviving victims, their families and friends, and the wider community, including first responders.
"Receiving government funding for the Stop the Coward Punch Campaign is vital. This financial support will significantly contribute to reducing this horrendous crime."
As stated by Acting Superintendent Jacqui Honeywood:
"The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is proud and privileged to support the Stop the Coward Punch Campaign.
"It is awareness and education initiatives like this that will help save lives and prevent future acts of violence.
"Every day across the state, police and first responders witness the profound life-ling trauma experienced by everyone impacted by the thoughtless acts of violence.
"We are committed to working alongside partner agencies and organisations, to do everything possible to reduce violence and keep our communities safe."
Background
The Stop the Coward Punch education package in partnership with cool.org was launched in February 2022 for secondary schools around the country.
It features 44 curriculum-aligned teaching lessons to raise awareness of the coward punch.
The Coward Punch Campaign was founded in 2012 to raise awareness of the devastating impact of coward punches in Australia, led by former professional boxer and four-time world champion Danny Green.
