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The Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council came together over two days in June to focus on mapping potential partnerships that could support us in delivering greater impact.
Working in partnership with government, business and community stakeholders is critical to achieving genuine and effective cultural community change and is central to the way we work.
In recent years there has been some very powerful collaborations between the philanthropic, business and community sectors that has delivered innovative solutions in both domestic and family violence service delivery, and prevention education and awareness.
At the heart of all of these partnerships is a shared understanding and commitment to achieving better outcomes for vulnerable people.
In April 2023, the Australian Financial Review published its Philanthropy 50 list revealing that our top 50 philanthropists – made up of individuals, families and private foundations - gave over $1 billion in funding to support improved social impact. According to JBWere, who compiled the list, corporate giving and community investment, is the fastest growing and least understood segment of social impact funding in Australia.
Recognising the importance of the impact being made by the philanthropy sector, in May this year the Australian Government announced “The Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children”. This is a ten-year strategy and partnership between Government and philanthropy that will invest in community-led innovation and reform efforts to improve the wellbeing of children and families and the communities they live in. In addition to the Budget commitments made by the Government, philanthropy will contribute $100 million over the next four years to begin this important work.
This month, the Prevention Council has been honoured to see how social impact investing in Queensland is both igniting and growing the responses of our domestic and family violence service sector – through our visits to two philanthropically funded new transitional accommodation facilities – Peggy’s Place and Hannah’s Sanctuary – you can read more about them both below.
We want to express our thanks to all individuals and organisations who are investing in changing Queensland for the better and inviting others to contribute.
Everyone has a seat at this table and every contribution counts.
Vanessa Fowler OAM and Bob Atkinson AO APM
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Meet Council Member Jacque Lachmund
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Following a number of years supporting the work of the Prevention Council, Jacque was appointed as a member in February 2023.
This month Jacque shares her experience in working in partnership with stakeholders across Queensland to prevent domestic and family violence.
How did you first become an advocate for domestic and family violence prevention?
As a survivor of DFV I did not understand that my relationship had a name (DFV). I had no education, and it was always something behind closed doors not to be spoken about. I entered the DFV sector after listening to a woman who was running a women’s refuge speak at a local community event and I had a light bulb moment that I could be part of the change. Not only that but I could advocate and do more to prevent anyone else from going through what I had. My journey as an advocate for the prevention of DFV began.
You have been playing a very proactive role in supporting workplaces to create safer spaces for their people for over a decade now. What motivates you to do this work?
My “Why” are my grandchildren. I see the work that I do in workplaces as a significant opportunity to educate. I want the topic of DFV to be normalised, where conversations in the workplace can take place, without creating further stigma, shame, and fear. It also resonates with my personal story, where my workplace supported me to leave my abusive relationship.
How do you respond to people when they say that domestic and family violence is private business, and not really a workplace issue?
My response to that question is focused on educating them using statistics, facts, and my lived experience. We know that 1 in 2 survivors reported that DFV negatively impacted their career and opportunities in the workplace, and we know that it impacts businesses in the form of absenteeism and low productivity.
What are two of the most innovative responses you have seen from workplaces who are responding to domestic and family violence?
The first is an organisation in regional Queensland who have really committed to doing all that they can for those experiencing DFV and also to support those wanting to change their behaviour. They have provided provisions within their policy to provide emergency accommodation to the person experiencing, financial support for legal purposes as well as best practice pathways of support internally and externally. They have partnered within their community to financially support a local behavioural change program.
The second organisation is a national financial institution (CommBank) who has not only provided significant policy support provisions for their employees, but they have extended support to their customers. They have set up a dedicated support team and contact number (Next Chapter) for anyone experiencing financial abuse. You don’t have to be a customer of CommBank to access this support.
What would you personally like to achieve through the Prevention Council this term?
I personally want to make an impact by collaborating, partnering, and contributing to the prevention of DFV in our communities, schools, and workplaces. I want to leverage my position on the Council to increase awareness and understanding of DFV, primary prevention, coercive control, and the role that each and every one of us plays. | |
Connect me with Jacque |
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Support to recover from financial abuse - no matter who you bank with
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Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of domestic violence and coercive control in Australia. In fact, almost 40% of the adult population have experienced or know someone who has experienced financial abuse.
It happens when money is used to gain control over a partner or family member and is one of the most powerful ways to keep someone trapped in an abusive relationship.
Some of the signs may include:
- Being forced to show receipts to justify spending
- Being forced into taking out debts
- Not being allowed to work or having work hours controlled
Comm Bank's dedicated Next Chapter Team can provide free and confidential support and referrals by connecting you with a range of specialist services. | |
Find out more |
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Prevention Council Members were delighted to be able to visit Peggy's Place for a guided tour of a new philanthropically funded transitional women’s shelter in Brisbane.
Described as Queensland’s largest shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence, ‘Peggy’s Place’ will take in up to 33 women and 45 children when it opens in late July.
Philanthropists Peggy and Brian Flannery purchased the property in 2021 to provide safe spaces for vulnerable families who have transitioned through a refuge but are not ready for independent living.
The 10 person operational team at Peggy’s Place are partnering with both Government and non-Government organisations to identify appropriate homes for survivors to move into once they are ready to re-establish their new beginnings independently.
So far, more than 900 volunteers from Habitat for Humanity have helped to repurpose the site, including landscaping and painting, with project partner RizeUp providing all the necessities as well as some lovely warm touches to make every guest feel at home.
Also joining the tour were Geoff and Priscilla Dickie, the parents of the late Allison Baden-Clay. They expressed their thanks and gratitude for the combined community and philanthropic efforts to create a safe and welcoming space for vulnerable women and children. |
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Hannah’s Sanctuary is a $6 million purpose-built transitional accommodation facility, comprising of 9 safe townhouses, that has been funded by an anonymous Brisbane based property developer.
With a playground and community recreational area, survivors and their children will be able to stay for a maximum of 18 months as they get their lives back together after domestic and family violence.
Supported by BeyondDV, tenants of Hannah's Sanctuary will have access to a range of services aimed to get them back on their feet and into independent living, including employment, education and housing support programs.
Whilst the anonymous benefactor had no experience of domestic and family violence, he was touched by the story of Hannah Clarke and her children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence on 19 February 2020.
He raised his idea to donate both a parcel of land and the building of the secure complex with his family, before commencing discussions with BeyondDV and Small Steps 4 Hannah to make the project a reality.
The benefactor said the project had been a huge undertaking and wanted to give credit to the many small businesses who agreed to donate their resources, skills and time for the project. |
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Keeping Women Safe from Violence grants awarded
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On 29 June 2023 the Honourable Yvette D'Ath, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence announced the awarding of $3 million in grant funding to battle domestic and family violence.
24 organisations across Queensland will receive one-off grant funding of up to $150,000 under the Keeping Women Safe from Violence grant program.
The initiatives that will be delivered will help further the objectives of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. The funded initiatives include:
- Strengthening sector capability to respond to First Nations People
- Establishing a technology abuse detection and assessment service
- Supporting multicultural mothers in the Moreton Region
- Developing comprehensive interactive contraception resources
- Working with men from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
To learn more about the successful applicants and the initiatives they will deliver, visit www.qld.gov.au/endviolencegrants. |
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Perpetrators in the workplace
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Established in 2022 the Local Government Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Champions Network guides and influences cultural change within the workplace and across communities, by activating a local response to preventing and responding to DFV.
The Champions Network supports local government Councils to share key information and best practice models, collaborate and partner on signature projects, events and activities, and create positive change to help bring an end to DFV.
At the June 2023 Champions Network meeting, members had the opportunity to hear and speak with Matt Pronger, Co-Director of Workplace Respect.
Over the past decade, Matt - a qualified social worker, family dispute resolution practitioner, trainer and facilitator - has managed the delivery of more than 3000 hours of workplace DFV training to more than 20,000 participants across the public and private sectors, including in government, mining, construction, accountancy and law firms.
Matt spoke about the role of employers in preventing DFV and the work his organisation is doing to help support workplace capability and practice, including approaches with employees who may be using violence and abuse.
If your workplace is interested in learning more, download a copy of 'A workplace approach to employees who use or may use violence and abuse' resource, or contact Workplace Respect by visiting their website or emailing hello@workplacerespect.com.au. |
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Want to catch up on past newsletter editions?
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Have you missed a previous edition of the Prevention Council's newsletter? Click on the links below to read the 2023 editions.
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Share this email |
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For information and support options - www.qld.gov.au/dfvhelp
For confidential crisis support - DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636
In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Police |
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