QSuper extends partnership by 3 years, funding a full time Crisis Counsellor
In 2016 QSuper entered into a three-year partnership with DVConnect. The not-for-profit is Queensland’s leading crisis response service to domestic violence and the partnership provides funding to employ an additional full-time telephone support officer. The Fund, Queensland’s largest and the second largest in Australia, today announced it will extend the partnership for an additional three years.
QSuper CEO Mr Michael Pennisi says organisations have a responsibility to take an active role in tackling domestic and family violence, both within their workplaces and the broader community.
“There is only so much that governments and not for profits can do to overcome issues such as domestic violence. More and more it’s up to organisations to work collaboratively to help tackle domestic violence in our communities,” he said.
“Domestic violence takes a significant social, emotional and financial toll on its victims, who are predominantly women. With women making up almost two-thirds of QSuper membership and more than half of our workforce we feel a great responsibility to act.”
“As an organisation with over 575,000 members and around 1,500 staff, we can play a role in calling out this abhorrent behaviour and letting the community know that we don’t tolerate domestic and family violence,” he said.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer congratulated QSuper and DVConnect on the continued partnership, which means that more calls for help can be answered.
“I’d like to congratulate Michael and his team on their continued support of DVConnect.
“Not only will it boost the capacity of DVConnect to help people who are experiencing domestic and family violence, but it will also help to increase awareness of what domestic and family violence is, that it’s never okay, and importantly, that there is help out there.
“It’s vital that organisations take up the challenge of addressing domestic and family violence, whether that’s through introducing policies and education to support their employees, or through partnerships with organisations like DVConnect.
“We all need to work together to stamp out domestic and family violence in Queensland communities.”
DVConnect CEO Rebecca O’Connor welcomed the continued support, citing the impact an additional resource has on meeting their demand is significant.
“The additional support officer means about an extra 4,000 calls per year can be answered from Queensland victims. Being able to answer more calls could lead to more lives being saved,” she said.
QSuper and DVConnect will both attend the Domestic Family Violence Prevention Corporate and Community Forum on 10 September organised by the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women and spearheaded by Minister Di Farmer. The event, which has had input from a range of businesses including QSuper, will shine a spotlight on
the impact that organisations can have and provide the opportunity for a direct dialogue between organisations and not for profits working in the domestic violence sector.
Mr Pennisi said QSuper’s commitment wasn’t just about providing funding but looking for opportunities to educate customers and employees about the prevalence of domestic violence, and what they can to take an active role in combatting the issue.
QSuper offers in-kind support to DVConnect, as well as fundraising and volunteering by employees. The Fund offers 10 days domestic violence leave and provides training to employees to identify and refer victims to appropriate services.
“If every organisation in Queensland took some small steps to raise awareness and help provide
support to anyone experiencing domestic or family violence it could have a huge impact in the community”.
“As the State’s largest superannuation fund we want to take an active role in improving the lives of vulnerable Queenslanders. Our continued partnership with DVConnect is a demonstration of that,” he said.
QSuper is Queensland’s largest super fund according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s annual fund-level superannuation statistics issued on the 21 December 2018, with $102 billion in funds under administration. From humble beginnings over a century ago, today QSuper manages the retirement savings of more than 577,000 members. With membership previously restricted to current and former Queensland Government employees (and their spouses), QSuper opened its doors for the first time in 2017, with membership now open to anyone. Connect with QSuper on Facebook and also on Instagram
DVConnect helps Queenslanders find pathways to safety away from domestic and family violence. DVConnect operates three crisis helplines; Womensline, Mensline and the Sexual Assault Helpline. DVConnect is Queensland’s only free telephone service specialising in domestic, family and sexual violence offering crisis counsellors who can provide safety planning, information, interventions, referrals and emergency transport and accommodation. DVConnect operates Bella’s Sanctuary, a medium-term accommodation residence for women and children after leaving refuge/shelter. DVConnect also offers Workplace Domestic Violence Training to Queensland organisations.
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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