DFV peak body fast-tracked to support more victims sooner

• The Crisafulli Government will fast-track a Domestic and Family Violence peak body four years earlier than the former Labor Government had planned.
• A new peak body will be operating by January 2026, run by the Queensland Domestic Violence Service Network. 
• The Crisafulli Government will commission a first of its kind study on misidentification in domestic and family violence settings to boost victim safety.
• The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and delivering a fresh start by protecting more victims of domestic and family violence, sooner. 

The Crisafulli Government will deliver a Domestic and Family Violence peak body by January 2026 to give the sector appropriate representation and protect more victims of domestic and family violence sooner. 

The peak body will be formed by Queensland Domestic Violence Service Network (QDVSN). 

QDVSN will continue the work started by interim peak QCOSS, which was initially contracted by the former Labor Government in March 2024 to deliver the completed body five years later, by December 31, 2029.  

The Crisafulli Government is taking action to bring forward the establishment of the peak body, as part of its commitment to make Queensland safer.  

The work already undertaken by QCOSS will be finalised by the specialised services in QDVSN, which will be able to add their decades of experience working with domestic and family violence victims to complete the final steps of forming the peak. 

The introduction of the DFV peak will come at a pivotal time, with new laws to protect more victims sooner passed last month. 

The laws include Police Protection Directions, a new tool for police to immediately protect victims for 12-months. The pilot of the GPS monitoring of high-risk DFV perpetrators will also have been underway for three months.  

Additionally, the Crisafulli Government will commission a first of its kind study in Queensland, conducted by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, on misidentification in DFV settings. 

During the committee process of the introduction of Police Protection Directions, the DFV sector spoke at length about misidentification in Queensland, this study will give the government an evidenced based picture of the issue.  

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said the Crisafulli Government was committed to boosting safety of victim-survivors of DFV. 

“The safety of victim survivors of DFV is of the highest priority to the Crisafulli Government and having a well-represented sector to advocate for victim safety and programs is crucial,” Minister Camm said.  

“Stronger laws will help protect more victims sooner, and new GPS trackers on high-risk perpetrators and an expansion of hope hubs will all help make Queensland safer. 

“We promised a fresh start and we’re delivering important change after the former Labor Government failed to deliver reform during a decade of decline. 

“I thank QCOSS for their contribution up to this point and the work they’ll continue to do across the social services sector.

“The study by ANROWS on misidentification in DFV settings is extremely important, as up to this point the evidence has been anecdotal, this study will give the sector, the government, and the Queensland Police a broader understanding of the issue.” 

QDVSN Co-Convenors Sandi Keogh, Stacey Ross and Secretariat Verity Bennett said for over two decades, QDVSN has partnered with government and championed the voices of victim survivors and the expertise of specialist DFV services. 

“We welcome the opportunity to work and partner with government and the sector to strengthen frontline services, so victim survivors and their families receive the specialist support they deserve and need.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris McMahon, 0482 475 829