October is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. We acknowledge this may be difficult to many people. Please reach out to 1800RESPECT if any of the discussions raise traumatic thoughts or feelings. Please take care of yourself and others, and skip past this topic if needed.
Over the month of October, we aim to raise better awareness of Sexual Violence in all communities. Sexual Violence is something that a large proportion of Australians have experienced at some point in their lives, in fact, 23% of women and 8% of men over the age of 18 have experienced some form of sexual violence(1). Sexual violence takes many forms and it can happen to anyone; however, women and girls are significantly overrepresented as victims of sexual offences in Queensland. Within that gendered disproportion, evidence shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls are further overrepresented.
Recently the Federal Government released one key policy to address gender based violence – The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children (2022 to 2032). Within this plan are some important elements which will work towards improving the situation for women and girls. The plan has a strong focus on “centring victim-survivors” and “trauma informed” responses, and a greater emphasis on intersectionality to address how different aspects of a person’s identity can expose them to compounding forms of discrimination and marginalisation. However, the government has acknowledged the need for a more specific and separate action plan to help better address the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
The Barry Doyle School Based Scholarship is now open for applications for the 2023 school year. In partnership with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF), this scholarship is to honour the memory and contribution that Barry Doyle made to QIFVLS over a period of 10 years.
The underpinning value in his life was supporting youth and keeping communities safe, with education and awareness being key to reducing violence. The aim of this scholarship is to address the financial barriers that make the completion of schooling challenging.
If you, or someone you know meets the outlined requirements, please complete an application and submit to QATSIF:
- will enrol as a year 11 student in 2023
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- Has expressed an interest in a future career based on providing a safe, positive environment for indigenous families (eg. Law, counselling, social work, community development etc.)
If you wish to learn more, check the application here. Please contact QATSIF if you wish to apply.
Applications close Friday 18 November 2022
Kitty Tabuai and Mehak Lopez, our Bamaga-based Case Management Officer (CMO) and Cairns-based Solicitor, recently travelled up through Torres Strait on the Primary Intervention Community Legal Education circuit (PICLE).
This circuit aims to empower remote community members by education sessions around issues like elder abuse, healthy and unhealthy relationships, Domestic and Family Violence, helping community members with legal processes like Obtaining Working with Children authorisation (Blue Cards) , and also helping with victims assistance.
Although this was Mehak’s first PICLE circuit, she is extremely keen to put her hand up for another trip. “The Torres Strait is so unique, and each island is so different,” Mehak said, “I’m so privileged and blessed to be able to travel through these beautiful places and help empower the remote communities by providing legal education.”
Kitty and Mehak worked closely with the different police liaison officers and community justice groups in each of the communities, who helped the team get a feel of which issues were the most relevant issues for each community. Some issues can be difficult to talk about; in some communities talking about Domestic and Family Violence is taboo, so the team needed to find ways to talk around this issue to have the messaging accepted.
“These trips are so important,” stated Mehak, “as the communities we travel to are very remote and there aren’t any initiatives available like what we can offer. We are a resource for people to access, and we can be a good way to help empower the community councils to set up different Women’s and Men’s groups to better address the different needs.”
We are incredibly proud of both Isabella and Leah for their nominations for Not-for-Profit Lawyer of the Year and Pro Bono/Community Legal Centre Lawyer of the Year. We asked both Leah and Isabella a few questions about their time at QIFVLS and their nominations.
Isabella Copetti – Cairns-based Solicitor and Team Leader
–How many years have you been practicing Law, and how long have you been at QIFVLS?
I have been practising law for 3 years and have been with QIFVLS for 3 and ½ years.
–What do you find are the best aspects of your role?
Having the privilege to travel to beautiful and remote communities and country along with the trust and respect we gain to work with our Clients, Stakeholders and Support Services. Our role can be challenging but rewarding in many ways. I am also very fortunate to work with a great team!
–What is one experience working at QIFVLS that you won’t forget?
There are many experiences I won’t forget. Overall, I will always remember the important work that we do and the positive outcomes we achieve. The support of our colleagues during these achievements but also our challenges. It’s seeing the reaction of our clients when we give them good news or reach an achievement.
–What would winning this award mean to you?
It was a proud moment to receive a nomination and I feel very grateful to be recognised in these categories amongst many intelligent and accomplished women in law.
–Any signature moves planned for the dancefloor on the night of the awards?
Absolutely not but I could be tempted by the right song!
Leah Robertson – Brisbane based Solicitor and Deputy Principal Legal Officer
–How many years have you been practicing Law, and how long have you been at QIFVLS?
I was admitted to practice in 2015, starting my role at QIFVLS in 2019.
–What do you find are the best aspects of your role?
The travel. Being able to travel all over Queensland and the Torres Strait to remote communities I would not otherwise have the opportunity to visit. Each community is different but always welcoming. I have found this remote front-line work has been the quickest and most effective way of improving cultural competency and my skills as a practitioner.
–What is one experience working at QIFVLS that you won’t forget?
Whilst working in the Torres Strait I was fortunate enough to attend the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival, where we shared an information stall with Commissioner Maza. Being present at a significant cultural festival with various island dance groups in attendance was pretty special.
–What would winning this award mean to you?
Exposure for QIFLVS and recognition not only for myself but our whole team.
–Any signature moves planned for the dancefloor on the night of the awards?
Absolutely not.
Thanks to the AFL Cape York House and South 32 Eagles Football Club for their event last weekend – Stand Up Against Domestic & Family Violence High Tea. A number of Cairns based QIFVLS staff and board members joined together with the young men to talk about the importance of standing together against family violence.
We have a number of employment opportunities available in different locations around Queensland. If you or someone you know is looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a career where you are directly helping people in need, while experiencing travel through amazing country, then please hop over to our employment page.
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 we utilise donations to make the lives of people in crisis better.
