“The Brisbane Domestic Violence Service obviously has concerns that there are parts of the legislation in the Queensland justice system that is enabling abusive partners to justify violent acts under defence of provocation,” said BDVS Service Manager, Kelly-ann Tansley.
At Brisbane Domestic Violence Service, demand across all programs, including legal support, counselling and casework, has increased 30%, says the chief executive, Karyn Walsh.
Police from North Brisbane joined with multiple support agencies to engage with the community and local shoppers at Westfield Chermside, to spread the word that we should live in a world where there is no violence against women and girls.
Former business leader and BDVS Resound Survivor Advocate, Jo Mason is now in the business of helping employers recognise and address signs of domestic violence in their staff.
Coercive control is when your partner starts to erode all your privacy, independence and freedom. Often it can be hard to tell when it crosses that line, from being just a normal part of a relationship, to abuse - particularly when we tend to associate domestic violence with physical harm.
After escaping from a violent and controlling relationship, BDVS Resound Advocate, Susie* explains why love should never mean you have to ask for access to your own money.
Key organisations across Queensland are finalising preparations to take part in a landmark virtual summit tomorrow (Wednesday 6 May), responding to the impact of COVID-19 on domestic and family violence services across Queensland.
When Lisa* left her abusive partner, he hid a tracking device on her car.
In the five months they'd been together, he'd installed spyware on her phone and used fake social media accounts to monitor her page. He always knew where she was.
Queensland's stalking laws must be rewritten because they were shaped before social media and "intelligent" mobile phones, three domestic violence agencies agree.
Domestic violence agencies constantly report aggrieved partners using mobile phones, text messages, Facebook and other social media accounts to track, taunt and abuse their partners.
Grieving communities have rallied across Queensland to remember the victims of domestic and family violence after the murder-suicide of Hannah Clarke and her three children on Wednesday.
Micah Projects CEO Karyn Walsh — a not-for-profit support organisation — said the rallies provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and to demand change.
"We want to make a difference. We want to see women and children living free of violence," Ms Walsh said.
