National Domestic Violence Prevention Month is a major key date on the calendar for QIFVLS and the Family Violence Legal Prevention Services (FVPLS) sector. Throughout the month of May, we strive to raise awareness about Domestic and Family Violence by highlighting various initiatives. During this month, our teams across the state have organised events, created informative videos for social media, held educational sessions, and engaged with stakeholders and the community. For this key date, our ultimate goal is to empower individuals to reclaim control over their own lives, leading to a future free of fear or harm. We would like to highlight 3 areas where our teams worked towards this goal: Community Education, promoting services, and Policy.

Last week, our Rockhampton office organised an event in Woorabinda to conduct a Community Legal Education Session on Coercive Control, aligning with the theme of this year’s DFVPM: ‘it’s in your control to end Coercive Control.’ Our team worked with the Woorabinda Justice Group to put this event on. They fired up the BBQ and set up an information tent where community members could check out the pamphlets and resources about Domestic Violence and Coercive Control. We were also joined by the Central QLD Indigenous Development (CQID). Our female and male solicitors held sessions with women’s and men’s groups to hold discussions on Family Violence and more specifically Coercive Control. It was a great day, thanks to everyone from the community, local police, and the other organisations who helped make it a success.

 

To raise awareness during DFVPM, we have organised different members from the QIVFLS team to create short videos on different topics around DFV, and different ways our teams can help someone who is going through this experiencing. Over the month we have been releasing these videos, which cover a wide range of subjects including Coercive Control, Non-fatal Strangulation, Safety Planning, Escaping Violence Payments, Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships, and Healthy Families. Our intention is to reach new audiences by sharing these short videos through our social media channels, and to raise awareness of the ways our teams can help. If you haven’t had the chance to watch any of them yet, the please check them out on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

We would like to bring attention to legislative changes that are possibly taking place in the realm of Domestic and Family Violence. The Hon. Yvette D’Ath, the newly appointed Attorney General and Minister for Domestic and Family Violence, has recently brought forward new legislative proposal in the Queensland Parliament. This proposal includes amendments to over 30 pieces of legislation. One notable change that’s gaining a lot of attention involves the elimination of restrictions that prevent the disclosure of individuals identities who have been accused of rape and other specified sexual offenses prior to their trial proceedings. This was a recommendation of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, of which our Principal Legal Officer, Thelma Schwartz, was a member. It is important to note, however, that the Hear Her Voice report, which resulted from the Taskforce, recommends that it is crucial for a comprehensive media reporting guide to first be developed before advancing this amendment.

We also would like to highlight other possible developments in the legislation that would influence the DFV sector. In late 2022, the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) made contact with QIFVLS, along with other stakeholders, requesting input regarding modifications to Consent laws. Our recommendations for potential changes in Consent legislation are in line with those in the Hear Her Voice report. Specifically, we advocate for the adoption of an Affirmative Consent Model, as opposed to Queensland’s current Communicative Consent Model. Under the Affirmative model, any individuals engaging in sexual activities must actively seek consent from the other party. This means that in cases of alleged sexual assault, the burden of proof rests with the perpetrator, rather than the victim.

---

2023 Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum

At QIFVLS, we understand the paradox that exists regarding solutions for Indigenous family violence. Community-led organizations face significant challenges due to inadequate funding, staffing, and resources. On the other hand, mainstream service providers lack the necessary knowledge and training to provide culturally safe programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. In June, we are delighted to announce that we will be hosting the Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum in partnership with Aventedge. Our goal is to foster constructive collaboration and enhance outcomes for communities affected by family violence.

During both days of the Forum, we have arranged yarning sessions to provide you with the platform to share your ideas, challenges, and personal experiences related to your work and community. It’s also an opportunity to listen and learn from others.

The sessions will cover a range of important topics, including:

• Establishing collaborative relationships with local institutions and service providers to create a reciprocal referral system that supports families across the community.
• Collaborating with the community to customize government services that effectively address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
• Promoting productive collaboration between community-controlled organizations and mainstream services.
• Empowering communities and families with the necessary tools to prevent family violence.

These topics will be explored in depth to encourage knowledge sharing and facilitate the development of practical strategies and solutions.

If you are a First Nations non-government employee, you have the opportunity to apply for a bursary ticket to assist with the costs associated with the Forum. Priority will be given to applicants from smaller First Nations organizations with limited funding. Check out all the information here.

Townsville Office Opening

This month, we held the opening of our new Townsville office. Although the Townsville team has been working from this space for a little bit already, our Executive Team and some of the Board welcomed friends and stakeholders to open this space officially. The new office, located on Walker Street near the courts, is great space which has an open and welcoming ambiance.

The Welcome to Country and a Smoking Celebration was conducted by Bindal Elders, Aunty Jeanette Wyles and Uncle Alfred Smallwood. Following this, we invited everyone upstairs for an office tour and to unveil the Barry Doyle portrait, which we will be including in all of our offices around the state.

Thank you to all who joined us, to Aunty Jeanette and Uncle Alfred for the warm welcome and blessing, and to the amazing Townsville team.

Queensland Cabinet Reshuffle

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – Brandon Begley

Wynetta Dewis interview on NITV Radio

Premier’s Women on Boards Event

Premier Palaszczuk invited our CEO, Wynetta Dewis, and a few of the QIFVLS team, to participate in the Premier’s Women on Boards Event held in Cairns last week. The event’s aim was to showcase the amazing women leaders in Queensland’s regional areas, fostering inspiration and involvement among the upcoming generation of leaders. Guests were encouraged to invite women with leadership qualities or who are board-ready.

---

Are you, or someone you know, searching for an exciting career that truly makes positive impact to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families? Take a look at the different opportunities currently available and become a part of the QIFVLS family.

Please consider making a personal or corporate donation to help our teams deliver the services that are so vital to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Watch the video below for one example of how some of the donations made to QIFVLS is utilised to make the lives of people in crisis better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm8yeKrpRlY