Major corporations and community organisations to unite against domestic violence

The Queensland Government is calling on the corporate and community sectors to join the fight against domestic violence at a forum next month.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the new forum had already attracted leaders from major international companies and local sporting codes keen to improve their understanding of the nature of domestic violence and the work being done in the sector.

The Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Community and Corporate Forum: Safe at home, work and play will be held on 10 September at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane.

“I am delighted to announce the event is generously sponsored by Telstra and McCullough Robertson and pleased that already many organisations have come on board to attend,” she said.

“Queensland’s corporate and community sectors have an incredible capacity to reach people, especially large corporations.

“Every single day, the corporate and community sectors come into contact with millions of Queenslanders – whether they be employees, volunteers, customers or members.

“That’s why we have called on leaders from the community and corporate sectors to take greater ownership and leadership in helping embed the cultural change that’s needed to end domestic violence — including using their unique skills and capacity to reach into their networks and communities.”

Telstra’s General Manager of Queensland Government Business Gaven Nicholls said it was important for all sectors of the community to collectively speak up against domestic and family violence and provide support to survivors.

“That’s why we are proud to be involved and contribute our voice to this important cause,” he said.

McCullough Robertson’s Managing Partner Kristen Podagiel said putting a forum like this on required a lot of collaboration and commitment from business, government and the community.

“McCullough Robertson is very proud to have not only been an early supporter of the event, but also a key sponsor,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing our involvement at the forum on 10 September.”

Ms Farmer said two highly-renowned leaders in the sector, Patty Kinnersly and Kristy McKellar, would deliver keynote speeches at the forum.

“Kristy McKellar is renowned internationally as an advocate against family violence and a courageous survivor whose has influenced law makers and others to implement major reforms.

“Patty Kinnersly leads Our Watch, the national organisation dedicated to preventing violence against women and children, and is committed to sparking conversations that challenge community norms and practices that contribute to violence against women.

“This is a fantastic chance for leaders to come together to hear from others about what works and what can be done in workplaces large and small.”

Ms Farmer praised that work that several forum participants are already doing in the domestic violence space, including Club Queensland who are today launching a state-wide campaign to address domestic and family violence.

“Clubs Queensland, who represent more than 1,100 community clubs and their 2.4 million members, are today launching their ‘My Club Says YES to Respect’ campaign at Parliament House,” she said.

“This is a fantastic example of leadership. The campaign will include bystander education for club staff to help them know how to react when they witness or suspect violence, information on places to call for help on the back of toilet doors and making material about support services easily accessible.”

Ms Farmer said everyone can do something when it comes to taking a stand on domestic and family violence, and businesses and workplaces have an immense capacity to be a force for good.

“Even if it’s taking the very first steps by doing something as simple as holding a morning tea at your workplace to talk about DV, today I’m calling on our big corporate and community organisations across QLD business to join us on this journey.”

Confirmed attendees include representatives from Telstra, McCullough Robertson, Rio Tinto, Microsoft, Seek, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Brisbane Broncos, Clayton Utz, Commonwealth Bank, Queensland Resources Council, National Retail Association, Energy Queensland, Civil Contractors, Queensland Rugby League, Nine Queensland, Tennis Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art.

ENDS

Media contact: Cat Milton 0447 117 132