DVConnect inducted onto Queensland’s inaugural Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll
DVConnect has been inducted onto Queensland’s inaugural Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll, introduced by the Palaszczuk Government this year.
The purpose of the Honour Roll is to recognise Queenslanders who are walking the talk on domestic and family violence prevention.
There were 175 nominations from Cunnamulla to Cairns and more than 130 individuals and organisations from across Queensland have been inducted onto Queensland’s first Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said that it was important to recognise Queensland people and organisations for taking steps to ending domestic and family violence.
“Domestic and family violence is everybody’s business because as Queenslanders we look after each other. The Honour Roll recognises Queenslanders walking the talk in the prevention of domestic and family violence in their communities and businesses. Every nominee is working hard to create a Queensland free from domestic and family violence. Every nominee deserves the thanks of Queenslanders for helping to build a safer state from the border to the Cape.” Ms Farmer said.
There are four Honour Roll categories Individual, Community Organisation, Small Business and Corporate Organisation.
DVConnect was inducted under the Community Organisation category. DVConnect Chair Shaan Ross-Smith, Director Ben Bjarnesen, as well as Marie Cone, from DVConnect’ s partner Halcyon, were all inducted under the Individual category. Mirvac, Halcyon and QSuper, all DVConnect partners, have been inducted under the Corporate Organisation category.
Publically listed Mirvac and Queensland community lifestyle builders Halcyon have been inducted to the Honour Roll for their outstanding contributing to domestic and family violence prevention as demonstrated by the creation of the Bella’s Sanctuary project. Marie Cone was inducted under the Individual category for her role as the initiator and project lead for Bella’s Sanctuary.
Bella’s Sanctuary is an example of the corporate community, local businesses as well as the not-for-profit sector collaborating to change the future for those who had experienced domestic and family violence. Bella’s Sanctuary is a purpose built, 5 unit residence that was created because of a lack of affordable housing, as well as a void of medium-term accommodation for survivors to reside in once leaving a shelter/refuge. This gap reinforces the belief that there are only two housing options for those leaving a shelter/refuge and they are either returning to the abuser or homelessness.
Domestic and family violence is identified as the major cause of homelessness and housing instability and has significant long-term impacts on the health and well-being of victims. (The Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016-2026).
DVConnect partner QSuper was inducted onto the Honour Roll for their commitment to ending domestic and family violence. Since 2016 QSuper has funded a full time Womensline crisis counsellor at DVConnect, equating to 4000 additional calls being answered each year. QSuper has also funded the DVConnect Workplace Domestic Violence Training Project, which will allow DVConnect to employ a project officer for 12 weeks to develop Workplace Domestic Violence Training package and a promotion plan to take the program to organisations across the state.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, DVConnect can help you find a pathway to safety, away from violence. The DVConnect helplines are:
- Womensline 1800 811 811, available 24/7
- Mensline 1800 600 636 available from 9am – midnight, 7 days
- Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120, available from 7.30am – 11.30pm, 7 days.
- For more visit www.DVConnect.org.
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