Funding boost to violent crime victim support

Victims of violent crime in Queensland will have better support services after two organisations on Brisbane’s northside were awarded State Government grants.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the successful recipients of the latest funding round all helped address the impacts of violent crime, such as sexual assault, on victims.

“Being a victim of sexual violence or abuse is a traumatic experience, particularly where the crime may involve a partner or family member,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“While any physical injuries may heal, victims may feel fear, shame, anxious, isolated or even blame themselves and it may affect their relationships with others for the rest of their lives.

“We are committed to providing better support for victims of crime and this funding program facilitates services that can help victims, and their families, recover from these criminal acts and get their lives back on track.”

Nudgee MP Leanne Linard said the Nundah Community Support Group Inc would receive $50,000 to train up to 60 workers across northern Brisbane to better address the effects of sexual violence on victims.

“Participants will develop skills and strategies to help victims, families or their other support people to deal with the impacts of sexual assault and guide victims down the path to recovery,” she said. 

Mrs D’Ath said that as part of the funding package, Wooloowin-based WWILD Sexual Violence Prevention Association Inc, an organisation supporting people with intellectual disabilities who are victims of violent crime, would receive $60,120.

"WWILD will develop online training so support workers throughout Queensland can access high quality education about supporting individuals with intellectual disability who have been victim of crime,” she said.

“Two online packages will be developed and trialled in regional and remote areas of Queensland and WWILD employees will be trained so they can adapt other training packages into online learning tools into the future.

“This will provide support workers flexible access to training, regardless of where in the state they are located.”

Mrs D’Ath said the organisations had applied for one-off funding for these specific projects through the Victims Services Building Capacity Funding Program and encouraged other organisations to apply for the next round of funding in 2016.

Victim Assist Queensland will call for submissions early next year for the 2016-17 Building Capacity Funding Program round.

Contact: 3719 7414 or 3719 7415