‘Feel safe’: Zonta Club create soft room at Charters Towers police station

A group women have partnered with their local police station in Charters Towers to transform a cold, clinical interview room into a ‘soft room’ specifically for domestic violence and crime victims.

The Charters Towers police station's new 'soft room' designed for interviewing victims of violence and crime. The room was put together by the Zonta Club with help from Harvey Norman.

A group of Charters Towers women have partnered with their local police station to transform a former interview room into a ‘soft room’ specifically for domestic violence and crime victims.

The Zonta Club of Charters Towers funded the room makeover with assistance from Shaun Lance at Harvey Norman to create a comfortable, not intimidating space for abuse victims when they interact with police.

Club president Helen Adams said before the renovations, the room had “a large desk and some office chairs”.

Now, the room contains a couch, plants, carpet, artwork, and a circular table where an interview officer and witness can sit together.

“When people feel safe physically and emotionally, they are able to provide police with a more detailed account of what has happened to them,” Ms Adams said.

Officer in Charge Doug Koekemoer with Zonta members Robyn Pratt, Helen Adams and Suellen Skinner in the new 'soft room'.

“And there is less chance of them being re-traumatised by the interview process.”

To assist in the project, the desk and chairs were removed, the Queensland Police Service repainted the room in “light apricot,” and new furniture was brought in.

The room was officially opened on Wednesday, August 14.

‘Soft rooms’ are a growing trend in police stations, designed to be a welcoming space for women and children who are domestic violence victims.

Zonta is an international club network focused on advancing gender equality.

Zonta Club of Charters Towers members tour the new 'soft room', created in partnership with Harvey Norman and the police station.

Originally published as ‘Feel safe’: Zonta Club create soft room at Charters Towers police station