Do Something this Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Each May, Queensland holds Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month to raise awareness of the impact of domestic and family violence and engage all across the state in mechanisms to prevent such violence and harm. In the financial years 2006 until 2017, two hundred and sixty three women, men and children were killed in Queensland by a family member or current or former intimate partner.

The Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland in its Not Now, Not Ever report recommended that individuals, community organisations and the private sector work collaboratively to prevent domestic and family violence and support those impacted. The events, projects and activities to be implemented during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month each year are aimed at prevention and support the Queensland Government’s responses to the Not Now, Not Ever report. This includes the funded Queensland events taking place throughout May.

These May events are aimed at raising public awareness and bringing individuals, organisations, businesses and community members on board in the multiple endeavours to combat domestic and family violence. Wednesday 2nd May was the National Day to Remember. A time to reflect on the reality of domestic and family violence for those who have died and their loved ones left behind to deal with the often untold tragedy and their grief. DVConnect hosted the Brisbane event, one of the many candle lighting ceremonies across the State to honour and remember all those who have lost their lives to this scourge.

The Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board will hold a free public forum on 8th May to discuss its foundation year recommendations. The establishment of this independent, multidisciplinary Board in 2016 was a key recommendation of the Special Taskforce report on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland, Not Now, Not Ever. Chaired by the State Coroner, the Board undertakes systemic reviews of domestic and family violence deaths in Queensland. They are required to identify common systemic failures, gaps or issues and to make recommendations to improve systems, practices and procedures that aim to prevent future deaths.

During Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month we are all being called upon to do something. This is the 2018 mantra. Launching this new campaign to #dosomething, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged Queenslanders to call Police or reach out when they suspected someone was suffering from violence at home. “We don’t want people to be the bystander,’’ Premier Palaszczuk told The Sunday Mail earlier this week. “We really want people to say something. Don’t turn a blind eye, check on your neighbour and ask if everything’s OK.’’

Premier Palaszczuk said up to half of the cases before Queensland’s Magistrates involved domestic violence. They finalised a record 32,346 domestic violence protection orders during the 2016-2017 financial year. She called on men to be “strong role models for their sons and for their work colleagues.”

Advocates, experts and major media outlets are joining forces with Premier Palaszczuk and other politicians for May’s prevention initiatives to encourage bystanders to speak up because their information could save lives. She notes that although we speak out strongly against domestic and family violence as a society, it continues because as individuals we often stay silent.

Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Di Farmer, said the campaign would include television, online, cinema and public space advertising. “We know that in every incidence where domestic violence led to death, there were warning signs that nobody acted upon,” she said when speaking to Brisbane Times.

“Research tells us that one in six women and one in 16 men over the age of 15 have suffered physical or sexual violence at the hands of a domestic partner. That means, on those numbers, that all of us know at least one person who was a victim of domestic and family violence and all of us has a responsibility to do something.”

The Do Something Campaign will use #dosomething to promote this cause. This campaign is part of a $9.3 million investment by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to impact public attitudes and responses to domestic and family violence.

The Do Something website offers clear direction to all as to when assistance can help those faced with domestic and family violence. It offers perametres around when to act and do something and how to do something.

As well as the #dosomething campaign, 32 official events have been funded across Queensland to ensure these key messages of domestic and family violence prevention are being shared across Queensland communities. Events include family fun days, musicals, high teas and the YFS film launch as well as many more innovative opportunities for our communities to engage with these key messages of domestic and family violence prevention.

Many additional community events will also be held by organisations committed to playing their part in the prevention and intervention of domestic and family violence in Queensland. On 11^th May, the Queensland Youth Housing Coalition (QYCH) will host their 2018 Platform 1225 Forum entitled:  Abuse of Power – Confronting Dynamics of Harm. Duluth’s Scott Miller is the Keynote speaker. Scott will speak to the complex dynamics of violence and abuse of power. He will then offer strategies and solutions for working with both those who perpetrate abuse and those who are aiming to survive these behaviours to then break free from violence when they are able to do so safely and with some confidence. His emphasis is on supporting women, children and young people to recover from abuse experiences and move forward in their lives through their assistance to recovery.

Channel 7’s Kay McGrath is the Master of Ceremonies and Panel Facilitator. The guest speaker is Minister for Housing and Public Works, Mick de Brenni. An expert panel session on domestic and family violence and youth homelessness will include young people as active participants in this important conversation. This event is funded by QYHC and the Department of Housing and Public Works as an indication that other departments and organisations outside of direct service delivery regarding domestic and family violence are indeed getting on board and paying attention. In doing so, they’ve responded to the Not Now, Not Ever initiatives and they’re doing something in their own way.
Register for Queensland Youth Housing Coalition’s Platform 1225 Abuse of Power Forum.

Further information on the Do Something campaign.

Register to attend the Death Review and Advisory Board public forum.

View a list of all the events being held throughout Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.