New app for Between The Lines youth campaign

The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, and Senator for New South Wales, Matt Thistlethwaite, today launched a free app for mobile phones as part of the Australian Government’s $17 million The Line campaign.

This new app will use social media and music to engage young people about what is acceptable in relationships and to reduce violence against women.

“The Line is all about encouraging young people to think about what is acceptable in a relationship and what crosses the line,” Ms Collins said.

“It’s important we teach young Australians about respectful relationships to help break the cycle of violence for future generations.

“One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and almost one in five has experienced sexual violence.”

At a special event at the Australasian Performing Right Association’s Song Summit in Sydney, Senator Thistlethwaite said that over the past two years, more than two million young Australians have seen and heard The Line campaign.

“The campaign’s messages have also been woven through the music and insights of a range of Musical Ambassadors,” Senator Thistlethwaite said.

“All these artists have featured in Between The Lines, a cutting edge ‘zine published quarterly on www.theline.gov.au.

“Between The Lines is a great way to get young people talking about respectful relationships.

“Between The Lines showcases a combination of original stories, songs, cartoons, poems, and photographs from young Australians aged between 12 and 20.

“The latest issue of Between The Lines, the Songs and Words issue, comes with a free app, that showcases the power of music and technology to communicate the campaign’s message about promoting respectful relationships,” Senator Thistlethwaite said.

For more information about The Line campaign and Between The Lines, go to www.theline.gov.au