May is Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Month in Queensland.

Announcement posted by JC Indahaus Media 28 May 2014

We need people from all sectors of the community to come together and take action to show domestic and family violence is never acceptable.

Domestic and family violence occurs when one person in a relationship uses violence or abuse to maintain power and control over the other person. Abuse is not always physical—it can be emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, or other controlling behaviours that cause the person being abused to live in fear. Domestic and family violence occurs among people of all ages, education, cultural and racial groups, sexuality and socioeconomic status. It can occur between people in spousal, intimate personal, family or informal care relationships. While men can be victims of domestic and family violence, the majority of people who experience this kind of violence are women. Every year people die from domestic and family violence—even when there has been no history of physical violence. All forms of violence and controlling and obsessive behaviours should be taken seriously.

About the Make the call campaign

The Make the call campaign was developed to reduce the incidence of death and serious injury resulting from domestic and family violence in Queensland. The campaign aims to prevent domestic and family violence and elder abuse by prompting friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues who suspect someone they know is being abused to Make the call for support, advice and referrals to prevent serious harm occurring. These often hidden forms of violence are affecting our neighbourhoods, our workplaces and our communities. The campaign supports community activities during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May 2014 and extends the focus to elder abuse in the lead up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2014.

During the period 2006-12, an average of 23 deaths a year in Queensland, or 44 per cent of the state’s homicides, were linked to domestic and family violence (Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Unit, Office of the State Coroner).In 2009, it was estimated that domestic violence cost the Queensland economy between $2.7 and $3.2 billion per annum. Each month in Queensland an average of 83 cases of elder abuse are reported. However, it is likely the actual numbers are much higher, as most cases of elder abuse go unreported. (Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, Queensland). In 2007-08 it was estimated the cost of financial exploitation of older Queenslanders was upwards of $1.8 billion.

You can play an important role in helping to prevent domestic and family violence in your community. May 2014 is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in Queensland and is a great opportunity to get involved in awareness raising and prevention activities. We need people from all sectors of the community to come together and take action to show domestic and family violence is never acceptable. Here are some ways in which communities can take action, from making a difference in your workplace to community leaders uniting to drive change at a local level.

Engage your sports team to promote healthy relationships to players and staff. Ask your local domestic violence service provider to talk to the team, promote the Make the call campaign on match-day or develop a club policy condemning all forms of violence.
Display Make the call posters in your workplace and distribute brochures and helpcards to staff.
Employers can increase awareness of domestic and family violence by providing their staff with information on how to support those affected and where to access help. Workplace policies about how to support employees affected by domestic violence are a great initiative.
Bring your neighbourhood together by organising an event such as a community march against domestic and family violence or hosting a fundraising BBQ for a local service.
If you work in the media you can play an important role in changing community perception of domestic and family violence and reinforcing the message that violence of this nature is never acceptable.
Encourage your local newspaper or radio station to cover domestic and family violence. Follow the tips for dealing with the media.
Councils can lead the way in their community by running local projects and events about domestic and family violence prevention, or establishing a taskforce bringing together community leaders to support services and promote anti-violence messages.

Partners across Queensland have joined the Make the call campaign to end domestic and family violence in their communities. You can support the campaign by becoming a partner or using their campaign tools to promote your Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month activities. Be part of a campaign that will help address domestic and family violence in Queensland communities. Your organisation’s support as a partner will demonstrate your commitment to ensuring your local community and workplaces are safe for everyone and could possibly help save a life.

The partnership prospectus (PDF, 116 KB) (RTF, 128 KB) provides information on the benefits your organisation will receive as a partner.

To get involved, contact the Make the call campaign team on:

07 3225 8181 or email makethecall@communities.qld.gov.au

Emergency Contacts:

DVConnect Womensline
1800 811 811 (Queensland) 24 hours, 7 days a week

DVConnect Mensline
1800 600 636 (Queensland) 9am–12 midnight, 7 days a week

In an emergency call the police on 000 (triple zero)

1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732
(Australia) 24 hours, 7 days a week

Kids helpline
1800 551 800 (Australia) 24 hours, 7 days a week

Elder Abuse Helpline
9am–5pm, Monday to Friday

1300 651 192 (Queensland only)
07 3867 2525 (rest of Australia)

Click here to connect with Cassidy Poon, Melbourne's leading Media Publicist from JC Indahaus on LinkedIn.