New service to support domestic violence workforce

A new service is being established to better support Queenslanders working in the complex domestic, family and sexual violence sector.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Di Farmer, said the new service would be delivered by the Healing Foundation, in partnership with Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS).

“This partnership combines the training and leadership expertise that is needed to make sure our domestic, family and sexual violence workforce is as strong as it can be,” she said.

“It also maintains a strong connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through the Healing Foundation.

“The combined expertise of these two organisations will help workers put into practice the things we know work in this field.”

Ms Farmer said the new service would work with the sector to strengthen their capability through the provision of professional development across a range of areas.

“I have been listening to hundreds of DV workers across the state who say this is a real issue for them, and I know this strategy will really be welcomed," she said.

"It will include addressing skills and proficiencies for services, such as case management and counselling, as well as working with vulnerable groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people with disability,” she said.

“They will also support training around human resourcing, succession planning, organisational leadership and governance to better enable organisations involved with service delivery to focus on client support.”

Ms Farmer said the Healing Foundation would deliver on initiatives to increase the size of the workforce combatting domestic and family violence and prevent skill and staff shortages into the future.

“Since 2015 we have helped bring domestic and family violence out from behind closed doors, we are tackling this issue head on,” she said.

“That’s why it’s so important now that we continue to invest in this area and make sure the staff and support services are well equipped to help women when they make that brave and often very dangerous decision to leave a violent relationship.”

Ms Farmer said the new service supported the State Government’s commitment to deliver on the recommendations from the Not Now Not Ever report.

“This report and its 121 recommendations to government was a watershed moment for Queensland, and was critical in shaping our reform agenda and to ending domestic and family violence in this state,” she said.

“One of the identified areas of focus was the need to better develop the capability and capacity of the domestic and family violence sector workforce, and this new service delivers on that recommendation.

“Through the Not Now Not Ever Report, we heard a strong and resounding message from the domestic and family violence sector itself, that more and better work is needed to support and strengthen the workforce.”

ENDS

Media contact: Cat Milton 0447 117 132