High Risk Team works to keep Ipswich women safe

Published Wednesday, 06 June, 2018 at 06:49 PM

Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
The Honourable Di Farmer

The Palaszczuk Government has launched an Ipswich High Risk Team as part of its state-wide crackdown on domestic and family violence.

The team has been set up to assess and respond to women and their children at high risk of serious harm or death.

It’s one of eight specialist teams made possible by the Palaszczuk Government’s $26.3 million investment over four years.

Member for Ipswich, Jennifer Howard, welcomed the additional support, with a high volume of domestic violence order (DVO) applications being recorded in Ipswich.

“There’s been a 10.8 per cent increase in the number of DVOs between 2015/16 and 2016/17,” Ms Howard said.

“DVO breaches also increased by 19 per cent between 2015/16 and 2016/17, up from 984 to 1170.

“The stats also show 47 domestic violence strangulation offences in Ipswich during 2016/17.”

Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the rising figures were an concern but were also an indicator of progress being made.

“More people than ever are realising that what is happening to them at home is not OK, and that there is support available to them when they make the brave decision to leave a violence situation,” Ms Farmer said.

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said a mix of agencies work together to ensure victims are kept safe.

“The Ipswich High Risk Team is made up of officers from key agencies such as police, health, corrections, housing, child safety and a range of non-government services,” Mr Madden said.

“They’re able to give culturally appropriate responses to victims and their children.”

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the worrying number of domestic violence cases in Ipswich justified the need for a High Risk Team.

“One agency on its own is not always able, or best positioned, to provide the breadth of actions necessary to reduce risk of victims,” Ms Miller said.

“The High Risk Team wraps services around women and children to make sure they have the support they need to get their lives back on track.”

Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said it was important for people experiencing violence to realise that there was help available.

“This issue is no longer in the shadows and everyone has a responsibility to say something if they think violence is happening,” Ms Mullen said.

“Everybody has a right to be safe and to feel safe, and this High Risk Team is making people in the Ipswich region safer.”

Ms Farmer said it was important for women to reach out if they needed help.

“Helping women who are escaping violent relationships takes a co-ordinated effort,” Ms Farmer said.

“We want Ipswich women to know there is a network of services working together to support them and keep them safe.”

For more information on the Queensland Government’s actions to tackle domestic and family violence, go to www.communities.qld.gov.au/gateway/end-domestic-and-family-violence

ENDS

Media Contact:          Ron Goodman            0427 781 920