$70,000 for programs to help victims get their lives back on track

Programs supporting child sexual abuse victims and providing dental services for victims of domestic and family violence will receive $70,000 in State Government funding.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the Government had allocated the funding to two community organisations to help victims get their lives back on track.

“Picking up the pieces after you’ve been the victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse can be tough and traumatic, with many people not knowing where to start,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing better support for victims of crime and through this funding we’re facilitating services to help victims and their families in the recovery process.”

Mrs D’Ath said the Australian Dental Health Foundation would receive $40,000 to assist individuals and families with dental problems resulting from domestic and family violence.

“Some might not immediately associate dental issues when thinking about the physical impacts of domestic and family violence,” she said.

“This funding will help build the network of volunteers who provide dental services to those impacted individuals and families who have experienced dental trauma or ongoing oral health problems.

“The initiative will develop materials to provide guidance to dental practitioners working with victims of domestic violence.”

Mrs D’Ath said Bravehearts Foundation would receive $30,470 to help allied health professionals in three regions better assist child sexual assault victims and their families.

“The impacts of these traumatic offences on victims are not only physical and emotional but affects their relationships with family, friends and their community,” she said.

“The project aims to enhance the skills of those working with children who have experienced child sexual assault and exploitation in the Toowoomba, Mackay and Rockhampton regions.

“Funding will be used to deliver a three-day specialist child sexual assault and exploitation masterclass, enabling 20 practitioners in each location to strengthen their knowledge.”

Mrs D’Ath said both organisations had applied for one-off funding through the Victims Services Building Capacity Program.

“Funding of up to $100,000 is available to not-for-profit organisations to help build their capacity to address identified service gaps for victims of violent crime in Queensland,” she said.

Mrs D’Ath said assisting victims was part of a comprehensive framework of measures put in place by the Palaszczuk Government to address the scourge of domestic and family violence and to strengthen the child protection system.

Through Victim Assist Queensland (VAQ), the Government provided financial assistance to people affected by violent crime, including domestic and family violence, to assist them to recover from the physical and psychological impact of the crime.

In 2018–19, VAQ granted $22.52 million to 3415 victims and family members affected by violent crime in Queensland.

More information is available at www.qld.gov.au/victims.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3719 7400