Founded in 1984, Streetwize Comics produces free educational comics for young people covering a wide range of issues. The comics communicate important messages in an easy-to-read format that young people can relate to, particularly disadvantaged youth. The comics, as well as other material including posters and educators' notes, deal with topics such as health and safety, legal issues, racism, sexual harassment, domestic violence, homosexuality, housing, employment, gambling, drug and alcohol abuse and other current social issues. They are developed in consultation with young people from the target audiences and are based on the philosophy that effective communication must be built around the perceptions and needs of the audience. Funding comes from federal and state government departments and community organisations.

The Powerhouse Museum collection contains a selection of comics and other items from Streetwize. This material illustrates the way in which government and community organisations approach the dissemination of health information to targeted groups (in this case, disadvantaged youth) and at the same time provides a record of the range of health and social issues affecting young people in the late 1990s.

The 'Need to talk?' infocard was produced for the NSW Victims of Violent Crime Bureau. Intended for young women from culturally diverse backgrounds, it aims to raise awareness of the Bureau's 24-hour confidential counselling and referral service.

The information card was produced by Streewize Comics Ltd in 1999 for the NSW Victims of Violent Crime Bureau.

Information card, 'Need to talk?', cardboard, Streetwize Comics, Australia, 1999

Landsape-format information card featuring a colour illustration of girls from different ethnic backgrounds and information about a twenty-four hour confidential counselling and referral service provided the NSW Victims of Violent Crime Bureau. The reverse side repeats the same information in black text on a white ground.

Made: Streetwize Comics Ltd; Australia; 1999

2000/124/16

1999

99 mm

210 mm