New team to tackle domestic violence in the Redlands

Redland City is set to be home to a new Domestic Violence High Risk Team which will strengthen the response to serious cases of violence, and better protect those victims most at risk, across the Brisbane South Region.

Attorney-General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said High Risk Teams are a key tool in Queensland’s commitment to tackle domestic and family violence.

“High Risk Teams help prevent vulnerable women from slipping through the cracks.

“These highly coordinated teams identify victims of violence early, and then work with them closely to ensure their safety.” Minister Fentiman said.

High Risk Teams are made up of representatives from the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Health, the Department of Housing, and various support services.

“These agencies share critical information quickly about a woman at risk of violence and carefully manage her situation, while also monitoring potentially dangerous perpetrators.

“That’s why in response to recommendations made by to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, I’m so pleased to announce High Risk Teams are being rolled out into more locations, including Townsville and the Brisbane south region,” the Minister said.

Member for Redlands Kim Richards welcomed the announcement.

“We know these specialist teams are saving lives.

“Through early intervention they are able to better identify and prevent domestic and family violence in our community,” she said.

Member for Capalaba Don Brown said he was proud of the Palaszczuk Government’s record on keeping women and children safe.

“Evidence clearly shows these teams are enabling faster and more targeted responses for victims and perpetrators,” he said.

Stacey Ross, CEO of The Centre for Women and Co, said “this will immensely strengthen our collaboration and help to further focus efforts to keep women and children safe and hold people who use violence to account.

“Our experience in the Logan/Beenleigh HRT shows that this level of cross agency coordination is a game changer in the battle to prevent violence against women,” she said.

The Redlands/Brisbane South HRT will add to the eight existing High Risk Teams currently operating in Mount Isa, Cairns, Mackay, Caboolture, Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan Beenleigh, and Cherbourg.