Community organisations get funding for DV prevention

Community organisations across Queensland will share in more than $200,000 worth of grants in the run-up to Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month this May.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said 40 one-off grants of up to $5,000 had been awarded to help community organisations raise awareness of domestic and family violence and encourage community action. 

“We need all Queenslanders to come together and play their part to stop domestic and family violence,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Our community groups already do outstanding work right across the state, but we are now calling on them to play their part in tackling this issue.

“The grants will be used to fund awareness initiatives, hold candlelight vigils to remember victims and work with young people to get the message out that domestic and family violence is not tolerated.”

Under this program, 40 events have been funded in communities across Queensland - from a public campaign by Relationships Australia in Toowoomba, a free community BBQ in Bundaberg, to raising awareness of domestic and family violence at the Cowboys home game in Townsville on April 28.

“Partnering with community groups is a critical component of the Government’s almost $200 million response over five years to the Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence report,” Ms Fentiman said.

Minister Fentiman said $40,500 of the available funding would specifically support community organisations to tackle domestic and family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“Eight organisations have been recommended for funding to hold events or activities within Indigenous communities, covering urban centres as well as regional and remote locations,” she said.

More information on events being held during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is available at www.qld.gov.au/notnownotever

For help in dealing with domestic and family violence, call the state-wide DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 or DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636.

To find out more about the Queensland Government’s actions to tackle domestic and family violence, visit www.qld.gov.au/enddomesticandfamilyviolence