Consultation open on a Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Perpetrator Strategy

• Consultation paper released to inform Queensland domestic and family violence perpetrator strategy (Strategy)

• Focuses on prevention, early intervention and response, and systemic reform

• Queensland to be first state to develop a standalone Strategy

A consultation paper has been released inviting community input on a standalone Strategy to strengthen Queensland’s approach to perpetrators of domestic and family violence.

The Strategy will encompass responding to all people using domestic and family violence, regardless of their level of risk, with a focus on early detection, intervention, accountability, and prevention.

Once implemented, Queensland will become the first Australian state to have a standalone Strategy to guide efforts in strengthening responses to persons using violence.

The Strategy is a direct response to the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board’s 2019-2020 Annual Report.

Consultation has begun and closes at 5pm on 22 September 2023.

Building on the extensive consultation undertaken by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, the consultation paper seeks community feedback on proposed areas of focus for the Strategy and seeks feedback in relation to:

-           how best to respond to persons using violence, while keeping victims safe

-           responding early to persons using violence

-           strengthening perpetrator interventions

-           strengthening systems to support accountability and behaviour change

Aligned with the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016-2026, the consultation paper focuses on prevention, early intervention and response, and systemic reform.

It also seeks to ensure responses to persons using violence are informed by, and specific to, the needs of groups of people who are more likely to be impacted by domestic and family violence and can face greater challenges in accessing appropriate support.

This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those with a disability, anyone who identifies as LGBTIQA+, young people and those who reside in rural, regional and remote communities.

Public submissions will inform the Strategy which is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023.

The consultation paper is available at - www.justice.qld.gov.au/DFVPerpetratorStrategyConsultation 

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ending domestic and family violence.

“That’s why we have embarked on an unprecedented program of reforms to tackle domestic and family violence and make our state safer.

“This consultation process will continue to build on what we have learnt so far about how best to prevent domestic and family violence and of course early intervention.

“To make sure we get this right, we are asking the community for their views on ways we can strengthen our current responses to preventing and responding to persons using violence.

“We want to support a conversation about priorities and actions and working together to achieve this vital goal. 

“The public consultation process will help inform a Queensland domestic and family violence perpetrator strategy that is evidence-based and considers all responses to persons using violence.”

ENDS