Queensland's resources industry has reaffirmed its support for efforts to prevent family and domestic violence and to raise awareness through the distribution of important resources during Domestic Violence Prevention Month in May.
Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the materials would help individuals, community groups and the private sector work together to help prevent domestic and family violence, and to support those affected.
"For all that's uncertain right now, what's clear is that we need to be looking after one another," Mr Macfarlane said.
"Particularly, vulnerable families for which home is not a safe place during isolation. As one of the largest employers in Queensland, the resources sector has a role to play in reducing domestic and family violence."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer thanked the QRC and its members for their leadership and congratulated them for highlighting the crucial role workplaces can play in the battle against domestic violence.
"Workplaces provide a safe place for many victims to escape domestic violence and find support and help," she said.
"Ongoing corporate engagement to help reduce domestic violence is a key plank in the Palaszczuk Government's agenda, and will be highlighted at a roundtable conference supporting our virtual Domestic and Family Violence Summit on 6 May.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is creating new challenges for victims from social isolation with perpetrators at home to job worries, financial pressures and general anxiety about the future.
"Support from the Queensland Resources Council and member companies is a tremendous help in these uncertain times and beyond."
Mr Macfarlane said Male Champions of Change had released a toolkit to highlight some simple steps that workplaces can take to support staff, adjust existing systems to suit the COVID-19 context, and refer to frontline services where appropriate including initiatives from Rio Tinto.
"Rio Tinto staff affected by family and domestic violence can be included as "essential office workers" so they are able to continue working from the office. Under Rio's Domestic and Family Violence Policy staff can also access self-contained accommodation.
"Our sector also supports implementing the recommendations from Dame Quentin Bryce's 'Not Now, Not Ever' report and the Queensland Government's series of brochures and wallet cards including resources catering specifically for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people."
All resources would be distributed to member companies of the QRC and posted to its website.
Link to QRC's Domestic Violence Prevention Month website https://www.qrc.org.au/dvpreventionmonth/
