Media release: Family of Luke Sweetman delivers a real impact
Family of Luke Sweetman delivers real impact
Sammy D Foundation Chair, Brett Duncanson and Founder, Neil Davis attended the Supreme Court, 11th March to support the Sweetman Family as they delivered their victim impact statements following the senseless loss of Luke Sweetman due to a one punch incident less than a year ago.
No one understands the consequences of senseless violence like someone who has been through this devastation. It is why Mr Duncanson and Mr Davis attended to offer solidarity after members of the family had reached out to us. Sammy D Foundation’s heart aches alongside Luke Sweetman’s family.
Neil Davis stated “attending to support Lukes family is difficult as we deeply feel their grief. Our family understands better than anyone the lasting effects that one violent act has. For me it is hard to watch Luke’s mum, Marion , going through this enormous pain and knowing that she doesn’t want anyone else to ever go through this either. What happened to Luke Sweetman reminds us why we started the Sammy D Foundation, so no other family should go through what we have been through.”
The Sammy D Foundation is committed to preventing incidents of violence before they become news stories.
Mr Duncanson expressed his frustration, “there has been widespread media attention on bullying and violence in our schools recently, but we are now calling for action. WE all want to stop these senseless tragedies in our communities.
Listening today to Lukes family and friends statements and the sheer devastation that will remain only further inspires us to continue our much needed work. These incidents are a reminder that organisations like Sammy D Foundation need to be appropriately funded so that we can end the senseless violence . Let’s save lives not dollars.”
The Sammy D Foundation has the solution in the form of evidence-based, primary prevention, violence and bullying prevention education programs. Sammy D Foundation programs address the consequences of violence and bullying and provide young people with the knowledge and strategies to keep themselves and their mates safe, with the goal to achieve a whole culture where these behaviours are not accepted.
Sammy D Foundation believes violence is never the answer. We have the knowledge and tools to end youth violence. We simply need to be adequately funded to make this senseless violence stop.
Contact: Jannine Jackson CEO, Sammy D Foundation for further information.
Phone: (08) 8374 1678
Email: jannine@sammyd.org.au
www.sammydfoundation.org.au
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