Key Facts:
- Brisbane's annual Domestic and Family Violence forum will unite hundreds of specialists to enhance prevention efforts and support victim-survivors
- WHEQ reports a 76% increase in counselling service demand over the past six months
- The forum aims to build connections between survivors and practitioners to develop collective solutions for the growing crisis
- Keynote speaker Vanessa Fowler OAM emphasises that everyone has a role in ending domestic violence
- Legal challenges for victim-survivors remain significant, with Women's Legal Service CEO highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to promote societal change
Brisbane's annual Domestic and Family Violence forum will bring together hundreds of specialist service providers to strengthen efforts to prevent domestic, family and sexual violence and support the healing and recovery of victim-survivors.
Women's Health and Equality Queensland (WHEQ) CEO, Balveen Ajimal, said the forum was taking place at a critical time, with the organisation experiencing a 76% increase in demand for counselling services in the last six months.
"In an environment of crisis and growing need to support women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, it is critical that the sector and its supporters come together to improve prevention strategies and outcomes for women and children."
Ms Ajimal, who recently joined WHEQ as CEO, said the forum provided a vital opportunity for survivors and practitioners to build connections and work in partnership to create solutions to address the growing crisis in the sector.
"We know this forum will allow us to come together for a day, share our knowledge and develop some collective responses that meet the needs of our communities in Queensland. We face complex challenges and coming together at the forum will inform how we can deliver the healing and recovery services women and children are seeking in growing numbers.
Keynote speaker, Vanessa Fowler OAM Co-Chair of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council and Chair of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation said there was still a long way to go in preventing domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia.
"I am pleased to be joining the hundreds of dedicated practitioners who attend the Brisbane DFV forum. Everyone has a role to play in ending domestic and family violence. Bringing together frontline practitioners, survivors and families is vital to strengthening our approach," Ms Fowler said.
Nadia Bromley, Women's Legal Service CEO said the legal challenges for victim survivors remain difficult to navigate.
"We must keep working to change the legal landscape in relation to domestic, family and sexual violence. The legal challenges remain a significant problem in Queensland. Every day we see the devastating effects on the lives of women and children. The forum gives us a chance to get together and see how we can work more collaboratively and effectively across the different service providers to change the landscape more broadly in promoting a society that values women and children and respectful relationships."
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