Queenslanders urged to trust their instinct

Published Friday, 01 May, 2015 at 11:55 AM

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Queenslanders are being urged to trust their instinct and take action if they suspect someone they know is experiencing domestic and family violence.

Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman is today launching the ‘Trust Your Instinct’ campaign, as Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month from 1 to 31 May.

The campaign calls on friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues to listen to their gut instinct if they suspect domestic and family violence is happening.

“Domestic and family violence takes many ugly forms, including verbal abuse, stalking, threats or controlling what a person can say or do. This sort of behaviour can also lead to physical abuse,” Ms Fentiman said.

“There are about 180 reports of domestic and family violence incidents to Queensland Police every day and many more go unreported,” she said.  

“These figures are shameful. We need to act now if we are to end domestic and family violence.

“I’m calling on Queenslanders to support this campaign, we must all work together to end domestic violence. This begins at home, in our streets, in our workplaces and schools.

“If you suspect that a friend, a colleague, or a family member is suffering from this sort of violence, please trust your instinct and take action.”

The Queensland Government’s ‘Trust your Instinct’ campaign will run throughout May, encouraging people to call DVConnect for confidential advice and support if they suspect someone they know is experiencing domestic and family violence. 

The Queensland Government’s Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland report, released by the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence earlier this year, highlighted the increasing incidence and severity of domestic violence in our community.

The Government is developing its detailed response to the report’s 140 recommendations. 

The Government is investing $49 million over five years in new domestic and family violence services to support Child and Family reforms and address service gaps.

In addition, Queensland will also be a key part of COAG’s jointly-funded $30 million national campaign to reduce violence against women and their children.

For confidential advice about safety strategies and available support, call DV Connect Womensline on 1800 811 811 (24 hours a day, seven days a week), Mensline (9 am to midnight, seven days a week) on 1800 600 636. In an emergency, call police (000).

The government has funded 36 organisations to run activities across the state during May, to help bring public attention to the issue of domestic and family violence.

There are many opportunities for people to show their support, by attending a local event or simply by talking about the issue with others and bringing it out into the open.

For more information about the campaign and local events, including images for use on social media, visit www.qld.gov.au/trustyourinstinct or visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/trustyourinstinctnow

The Trust your Instinct campaign is proudly supported by Brisbane Roar, Netball Queensland and Queensland Firebirds, Queensland Reds, Gold Coast SUNS, Clubs Queensland, Brisbane Lions, Queensland Rail, Queensland Police Service, Heritage Bank and Bunnings Warehouse.

 

Media Contact:  Alex Purnell 0437 336 232