Cairns singer has something to say about domestic violence

Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor | October 30, 2022

Far north Queensland singer-songwriter Danielle Davis made her recording debut this weekend with a song she hopes will shine light on a serious problem in the region.

Domestic violence.

Danielle saw plenty of it during her time as a Cairns street chaplain, helping people in the CBD on Friday and Saturday nights.

“They patrol the nightclub district of Cairns, they’re a Good Samaritan service, handing out cups of water.

“They’re making sure people are getting home safely and just there to be the in-between between security and ambulance service.

“I lost count of the times that I saw domestic violence spilling onto the quiet streets of Cairns nightlife.

“It was just so terribly heartbreaking.

“I loved every single minute of being a street chaplain. They’re just an amazing group of people who love people.

“It was an incredible experience where you could be that shoulder to cry on or helping someone in a dangerous situation get home and know that they’re going to be okay and that they’re going to be safe.”

As a kid, Danielle used to sing her favourite early 2000s rock songs using a hairbrush as a pretend microphone.

Her life-long love of singing took Danielle to a career in music, writing songs and performing in her hometown Cairns.

Now, Danielle has released a four-track EP Hard Conversations, and a single, Howl.

“I really had something to say about domestic violence, and it wasn’t about me. It wasn’t about how I felt about it.

“It was about reaching out to women in domestic violence situations and helping to empower them to be able to change their lives in what can be chaotic and seemingly hopeless situations.”

Danielle’s three years as a street chaplain was a time full of challenges and inspiration.

Music, she says, can help people absorb important messages.

“Music speaks differently to every person, whether you listen to the lyrics or the music itself, it carries a lot of emotion.

“Sometimes it can just touch us in the right place at the right time. It can say the right thing.

“It can just stop us dead in our tracks and wake us up to what’s really going on.

“I believe that with domestic violence, communication is key.

“If more of us are aware of the signs of it, the patterns, then we’re more able to do something about it.

“I just have such a heart for those suffering because of domestic violence.

“It’s my goal that, even on a global scale, this issue can be raised and that through the medium of music that more people can be reached.

“My plan is to keep writing, keep releasing, keep trying to reach out to those people and provide resources for them so they can take action where they need to, without putting themselves in danger.”