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Dedicated Townsville cop creates safe refuge for kids

A dedicated police officer has created a safe space for the region’s most vulnerable children.

'Urgent action needed' to reform domestic violence laws

A dedicated police officer has created a safe space for the region’s most vulnerable children.

Seeing the devastation child victims of domestic violence go through, Townsville police Senior Constable Jodie Petersen made a welcoming place inside a police station to ease their minds during a traumatic time.

“It resulted from me removing a kid from an unsafe situation,” she said.

“It’s a safe space. (Children) don’t need to be exposed to (unsafe situations) any more than they have already.”

Townsville Police opening up a special room for kids at the Townsville City Police Station. Senior Constable Jodie Petersen with Brett 5, Will 4 and Zac Stephenson 11. Picture: Alix Sweeney
Townsville Police opening up a special room for kids at the Townsville City Police Station. Senior Constable Jodie Petersen with Brett 5, Will 4 and Zac Stephenson 11. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Sen-Constable Petersen spent hours off the clock helping artist Indy Saleh paint the room and furnishing it with plenty of toys.

“The idea of it is to create a sort of window,” she said.

It can also be used as a statement room, or a room for kids to sleep if they’ve been removed from an unsafe home.

Originally published as Dedicated Townsville cop creates safe refuge for kids

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/townsville/dedicated-townsville-cop-creates-safe-refuge-for-kids/news-story/0d8728e1a9505034a3a3e8dcbba203cd