Queensland tackles Domestic and Family Violence with local events

Almost $160,000 in grants have been awarded to community organisations across Queensland ahead of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month this May.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer announced 35 one-off grants of up to $5,000 have been awarded to a range of organisations from the far north to the south-east.

“Community organisations are using the funding to inspire change and promote community action, by raising awareness of domestic and family violence in their local communities,” she said.

“Every single Queenslander has a part to play in preventing domestic and family violence, and these local events are a great way for people to get involved and stand up and say not now, not ever to domestic and family violence in their communities.”

“Our community organisations do an outstanding job tackling this issue and supporting people affected and this is a way of showcasing their hard work and getting the community involved at the same time.”

Ms Farmer said the grants would be used for a variety of things including workshops, football matches, pamper sessions and family fun days that will raise awareness of domestic violence and bring people together to help prevent it.

“No community is untouched by domestic and family violence, but we need to stand together and say it will not be tolerated in Queensland. We need to spread this message far and wide and these events to be held as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May will help us to do just that,” she said.

“I know in Gladstone we have allocated $5000 to the Coordinated Community Response to Domestic and Family Violence Gladstone service to run a campaign across the community to promote domestic violence prevention.

“This campaign will include a Domestic and Family Violence Remembrance Day Ceremony, a presentation to high school students, the Million Paws Walk, a disco and artwork display.

“Here in the south-east the Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly was allocated $5000 for a family fun day to be held on the Manly Foreshore with free food, music and entertainment.”

Ms Farmer said the State Government was committed to tackling domestic and family violence in all its forms, and was acting on recommendations from the Not Now, Not Ever report.

Of the total grants pool, $45,000 will go towards supporting organisations to raise awareness of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland.

More information on how to participate in Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month events will soon be available via www.qld.gov.au/dfvpmonth 

For help in dealing with domestic and family violence, call the state-wide DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 or DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636.

To find out more about the Queensland Government’s actions to tackle domestic and family violence, visit www.qld.gov.au/enddomesticandfamilyviolence

ENDS

Media Contact:                  Ron Goodman                   0427 781 920