Domestic Violence Prevention Centre | Community organisation

Domestic Violence Prevention Centre

Phone: +61 7 5591 4222

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25.01.2022 "Marie Segrave, an associate professor of criminology at Monash University, has been studying the plight of women on temporary visas during the pandemic. "Only those on the right partner visa have that safety net. It's a safety net for only some women. There are two groups: those who hold a temporary partner visa, and everyone else. Everyone who doesn't hold that visa has total uncertainty, because [if] they don't hold the [temporary Partner] visa they can't access services..."

25.01.2022 Our Watch’s research has found that 50% of Australians believe that non-physical abuse between partners can be difficult to recognise, with this higher among younger Australians. It means financially abusive behaviour is more likely to be invisible in our community. More needs to be done to educate the public on how to identify financial abuse, and the immediate help and supports available. But we also need to prevent it from occurring in the first place...

24.01.2022 The masquerade is finally over. Conan Martin Visser has pleaded guilty to domestic and family violence. This is a man who, until recently, posed as a kind... hearted CEO of children’s charity I Can I Will claiming to support children who are being bullied. Turns out, Visser is the bully. I sat alongside four courageous young women in the Brisbane District Court yesterday, all of them with a similar story to tell. There are other survivors who weren’t able to be in court exactly how many, I don’t know. These women want their stories told in order to protect others. Marley’s a speech therapist and met 35 year old Visser in February this year. He randomly contacted her through Instagram with a view to her lending a hand with his charity. Marley says he began staying overnight, then Covid19 struck and he didn’t leave for close to 3 months. During that time, his behaviour became increasingly erratic, menacing and abusive. He was quick to fly into a rage and grab Marley, shaking her violently and shouting in her face. He stole her keys and broke into her home apparently, that’s a familiar pattern of behaviour. When he did leave, the predictable and disgusting text messages followed and included death threats. Laikan met Visser on Bumble a dating app in February 2019. She says he was charming and urbane and she ‘fell for it’. But as usual, things began to quickly unravel. The manipulation, abuse and unwanted sexual advances all surfaced. And again, Visser broke in, appeared at the foot of her bed and became threatening and intimidating. I’ve never felt so crazy she told me. I thought it was me. After I broke it off with him and blocked him on social media, I began hearing stories about him. People knew but didn’t want to say anything in case they offended me. Laikan says she feels hurt and angry and is reluctant to trust anyone. Sam Cooper found the courage to stand up in court yesterday and deliver her Victim Impact Statement. Her voice didn’t falter as she told the Judge, physical injuries inflicted by Visser seemed almost insignificant compared to the emotional trauma he caused her. In 2018 Visser appeared at Sam’s house in an agitated state in the early hours of the morning, placed his hands firmly around her throat and slapped her face. She said she had no idea how dangerous her life had become. That night, I felt terrified. I remember feeling trapped in my own home in the middle of the night with no way out. I was overpowered and felt a devastating sense of helplessness. In that moment of terror, I thought I might not make it to see the morning. And then there’s Lauren who has a whole other story to tell, when the time is right. These are intelligent, attractive young women who should be confident in themselves and their futures. Not looking over their shoulders, planning escape routes and attending counselling. I asked one if she’d heard the names Allison Baden-Clay, Rosie Batty or Hannah Clarke? Or heard the term coercive control? No, but she’d look that up. All the women are now too familiar with the term ‘gaslighting’. That’s where a person plays mind games and gradually erodes self-belief and confidence. This is what frightens me. Since working with the State Government Domestic and Family Violence Council, I’ve spoken with a lot of young women who seem unaware of the early signs of control and manipulation. It is so important that young women particularly, know that they deserve respect and should listen to their instincts. Red flags need to be recognised and understood. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. No-one has the right to control you or make you feel unsafe. Sam, Marley, Laikan and Lauren recognised Visser’s controlling and abusive behaviour and reacted. They should all feel proud. Please share this post. The more people who read this story and understand that domestic and family violence comes in many forms the better. And that perpetrators are often in disguise. If you need to speak to someone, please reach out. Talk to trusted family and friends or call for help. DVConnect 1800 811 811 #enddfv #notnownotever #together Beyond DV Small Steps 4 Hannah The Allison Baden-Clay Foundation #RosieBatty https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/

23.01.2022 NAIDOC Week is a time for engaging with each another, for celebrating the the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and recognising the pride and respect that is built within Indigenous communities. Yet the close-knit nature of the Aboriginal Community with its kinship networks means that family violence has the potential to affect a wide circle of people. As an Aboriginal woman you may be concerned about shame and the impact spea...king about or doing something about the domestic violence on your family and community. Your obligations and loyalties may make it even more difficult to leave. A specialist Domestic Violence service can provide you with confidential information and support without pressure or judgement about your choices. They can help you work out ways that you and your children can be safer and help you, if you want to, make contact with an Aboriginal support agency. For more information and support, visit: https://domesticviolence.com.au/information/#aboriginal #NAIDOC2020 #AdvocateForChange

23.01.2022 "...the hidden nature of financial abuse means it can be challenging for concerned family and friends to reach out. Offering support is important, but many people struggle with knowing where to start. Do you ask questions? Comment on behaviour you’ve witnessed?..."

23.01.2022 "The Essential Research study surveyed 1074 adults for the anti-violence organisation, which found 42 per cent of men aged 18 to 34 did not consider "hitting, punching or restraining" another person to be "a type of domestic violence." ...

22.01.2022 The Power and Control Wheel Domestic and family violence generally occurs as a pattern of behaviours that are linked by power and control. This means that one person in the relationship intentionally and deliberately rules by fear, suppresses the others free will, intimidates, coerces and threatens to or actually does harm to the other, as a way and means to control or have power over them. Power and Control is at the centre of the Wheel. Each spoke of the Wheel represents a ...particular tactic which may be used by the person who is using control. The rim of the Wheel that holds it together is actual and threatened physical and sexual violence. For more information and support, visit https://domesticviolence.com.au #QMHW #QMHWTakeTime #QueenslandMentalHealthWeek2020#PowerAndControlWheel #AdvocateForChange

21.01.2022 "Men who stealth see their victims as possessions, rather than people who have the right to make their own consensual decisions about sex, explains Ali Howarth, a program specialist at 1800RESPECT..."

21.01.2022 "It's a nightmare scenario that is common plight for international women living under the shadow of domestic violence in Australia. New Zealand women in particular face a unique set of circumstances that throw up enormous barriers in allowing them to escape partner abuse. Under the common 444 visa, New Zealanders have the right to live and work in Australia, but because they remain citizens of their homeland, they are not entitled to government benefits. When faced with domestic violence and without finances to leave, many as a last resort flee back to New Zealand, but then can be forced back by their abuser to Australia..."

20.01.2022 Indigenous domestic violence: Music video launched at parliament By Felicity Caldwell Brisbane Times First published November 25, 2016... Domestic violence is not our way - is the message from a group of indigenous students who are tackling the scourge with song. Children from Brisbane's Murri School wrote the song We Say No More, collaborating with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects. They then recorded a music video, which was launched at a round table to explore solutions to violence against indigenous women in an urban setting, held at Queensland parliament on Friday. Murri School director Jeff Locke said the children in the group from Years 6 to 11 wrote the lyrics from experiences in the community. Mr Locke said they wrote words that made a good relationship and a bad relationship on a white board. "The things that were coming up on that board, kids shouldn't know that, they shouldn't know this stuff," he said. "They opened their hearts and let it out, and it's a very strong message." Mr Locke said it was up to men to be there for their women and kids. Year 11 student Timmitha Monaghan-Gibson, 16, said making the video brought the students closer together. "When all of us girls started writing the lyrics down, we all just clicked and everyone just worked together and we all got it done and finished it," the 16-year-old said. "It's brought everyone out of their shell at school now and I can see the difference in everyone too, it's like they lifted it off their chest." Timmitha said hopefully the song created change. "The song means stuff to us, it might not mean anything to them, but it does mean stuff to us," she said. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane will develop a paper with recommendations to government following the round table. Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman, who attended on Friday, also White Ribbon Day, said there were frightening statistics around violence against women. She said indigenous women experienced higher rates of violence than non-indigenous women. "(And) we are fast heading towards 50 per cent of the children in the care of my department being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, if we don't change what we're doing," Ms Fentiman said. University of Melbourne Professor Marcia Langton said good policy was needed to present to government to reduce incarceration rates and violence. "The public are not going to keep sinking money into weasel words, trendy rhetoric," she said. "People don't want to see dead kids on the front of the newspaper, remember that, and come back with good policy, good interventions, successful data." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJQwK0jFJmg #NAIDOC2020 #AdvocateForChange

17.01.2022 Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It is the first day of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, which is a global campaign dedicated to ending gender-based violence. 16 Days is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to call for an end to gender-based violence and appeal to governments to respond to and prevent violence against women. The campaign also raises awareness about the impact of violence on a woman’s physi...cal, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing. The 16 Days Campaign is not a single event in any one location but rather a coordinated campaign of local, national, regional and international initiatives around the world aimed at demonstrating the solidarity of activists against gender violence around the world. It is held over 16 days from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25th) to International Human Rights Day (December 10th). Women and men are encouraged to take the lead in their communities and networks, by speaking out about gender violence and challenging the attitudes that allow violence to continue in our society. #16Days #orangetheworld #EndDV #AdvocateForChange

17.01.2022 "...coercive control has been exposed as one of the more insidious abusive tactics employed by intimate terrorists. Survivors often refer to this kind of psychological abuse as ‘the worst part’ of an abusive relationship..... As a result of increasing awareness in this space, Australia’s attention has turned to the issue of whether to create specific criminal offences targeting these behaviours. This is not unprecedented international jurisdictions like England, Scotland and Wales have had similar laws in place for some time..."

16.01.2022 Am I in an abusive relationship? Has your partner ever - pressured you to have sex which is unpleasant, pressured or forced? - made you have sex after emotional or physical abuse or when you are sick? - forced you to engage in sexual practices without your consent?... - made you do something very humiliating or degrading? - forced you to have unprotected sex? - drugged you, filmed you while having sex, shared images or uploaded sexual images of you to the internet without your consent? - forced you to have sex with objects, others or animals? If you answered yes, it is likely that your partner may be choosing to use a form of power and control over you, and we encourage you to speak to a specialist domestic violence support agency. If you need information or support, visit https://domesticviolence.com.au/ #SexualViolenceAwarenessMonth #SVAM2020 #AdvocateForChange

15.01.2022 Talking about suicide can be difficult, but you can have a positive influence on someone you are worried about by starting a conversation with them and supporting them to seek help. https://lifeinmind.org.au/youcantalk If you or anyone you know needs help, call:... Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 Women's Crisis Line 1800 811 811 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732 QLife on 1800 184 527 #YouCanTalk #WorldSuicidePreventionDay2020 #advocateforchange

15.01.2022 Thank you for your service and commitment to the safety of our community. Today is National Thank a Cop Day. #thankacopday2020 #advocateforchange

14.01.2022 "In 2018, Brain Injury Australia released the first study of its kind in Australia looking at the prevalence of brain injury in victims of domestic violence. It found that 40% of victims of family violence who attended Victorian hospitals over a 10-year period sustained a brain injury. The study found that 31% of family violence cases were children under the age of 15, and 25% of those victims sustained a brain injury. A literature review also provided evidence that brain injuries were seldom diagnosed in female victims of intimate partner violence, despite the fact that more than 80% of those who attended hospital had facial injuries...."

14.01.2022 If someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, ask them are you okay?, listen without judgment and stay connected. If you or anyone you know needs help, call: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800... Women's Crisis Line 1800 811 811 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 1800 Respect national helpline 1800 737 732 QLife on 1800 184 527 https://www.ruok.org.au/ #RUOKDay #listenwithoutjudgment #advocateforchange

13.01.2022 I wish I knew... earlier in the relationship that what was happening to me was emotional abuse. We asked survivors of domestic violence to tell us in their own words what they wish they had known sooner, so that others might relate and find their words helpful. We thank them for sharing their words and wisdom with us. #intheirownwords #advocateforchange

10.01.2022 How do I support a victim of sexual abuse? Listen to them and believe them. Many victims of sexual violence find it difficult to share their experiences and fear they won’t be believed. Help them contact the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre. The staff can help them talk and understand their options. For more information, visit: https://domesticviolence.com.au/informa/supporting-someone/... #SexualViolenceAwarenessMonth #SVAM2020 #advocateforchange

09.01.2022 "Responding to child sexual assault starts with believing a child who discloses the assault. "If you hear it, if you see it, if you suspect it, then you need to believe the kids," says Tom McIntyre, national education director at Act for Kids......"There's a default that people think young kids make that up [but] rarely are they mature enough to make up stuff of this nature," (Research suggests false allegations by young children are rare.)..."

09.01.2022 Domestic and family violence can have a significant impact on your health and well-being both in the immediate and longer term, continuing even after the relationship has ended. The psychological consequences of violence can be as serious as the physical effects. They may include: Stress related illnesses... Depression Anxiety Sleep disturbances Confusion Low self esteem Concentration difficulties Feelings of helplessness Alcohol and substance use/misuse Hyper-vigilance Difficulty making decisions If you are concerned about your health please talk to a health professional. For more information and support, visit https://domesticviolence.com.au/information/#effects #QMHW #QMHWTakeTime #QueenslandMentalHealthWeek2020#AdvocateForChange

08.01.2022 "Coercive control includes 25 types of behaviours including isolation, deprivation, demeaning behaviour, surveillance, threats to harm and actual harm that are already recognised as crimes in the UK...."

08.01.2022 Fantastic to see the DV Offence being used for one person in this serious incident at Logan late last week. Congratulations to the police officers for choosing to use this Circumstance of Aggravation when charging this man, and therefore considering the context in which these offences have happened. May this be the start of the DV Offence being utilised as often as possible in the charging for domestic violence related offending so that the history and pattern of the behaviour is taken into consideration rather than just the incident itself. https://www.mygc.com.au/four-charged-after-2yo-boy-snatche/

07.01.2022 This International Men’s Day, we celebrate positive male role models who promote gender equality, challenge stereotypical masculine toxicity, and foster positive gender relations. International Men’s Day encourages men to teach the boys in their lives the values, character and responsibilities of being a man. Mahatma Gandhi said, We must become the change we seek. It is only when we all, both men and women, lead by example that we will create a fair and safe society which a...llows everyone the opportunity to prosper. International Men’s Day focuses on improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, producing responsible males and highlighting positive male role models. It also looks at addressing issues such as parenting, positive male role models, families and healthy life choices for men. #InternationalMensDay2020 #AdvocateForChange

06.01.2022 "The question of whether a violent parent should be allowed to see their children is one of the most complex issues put to the Family Court. There are no easy answers. At best, one or both parents might think the court’s decision unfair. At worst, children could be forced into the care of an abuser, and taken from the parent who keeps them safe..." "

06.01.2022 What is sexual violence? Sexual violence includes: rape; sexual abuse; unwanted sexual advances or harassment and intimidation; being forced to watch or engage in pornography; sexual coercion; having sexual intercourse because you are afraid of what your partner might do; forced prostitution; and trafficking.* For more information, support and assistance, visit: https://domesticviolence.com.au/... #SexualViolenceAwarenessMonth #SVAM2020 #advocateforchange * Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019. Family, domestic and sexual violence in Australia: continuing the national story 2019In brief. Cat. no. FDV 4. Canberra: AIHW.

04.01.2022 We know from the research that family and domestic violence is not caused by the disappointment of your team losing, a few too many beers or the stress of a tense match. Although these factors may exacerbate the violence, it is driven by gender inequality and the perpetrator’s need for power and control over their victim. Patty Kinnersly, chief executive of Our Watch...

04.01.2022 "Police are visiting the state’s 300 worst repeat domestic violence offenders in a statewide operation to break their chronic cycle of offending..."

03.01.2022 I hadn’t realised how small he had made my world until I finally managed to leave; how few choices I was allowed to make. We asked survivors of domestic violence to tell us in their own words what they wish they had known sooner, so that others might relate and find their words helpful. We thank them for sharing their words and wisdom with us. #intheirownwords #advocateforchange

02.01.2022 "The Australian Taxation Office says it will look at whether more needs to be done to ensure victims of family violence don’t lose their retirement savings as a consequence of abuse in the Morrison government’s early access to superannuation initiative..."

02.01.2022 Today is International Day of Rural Women Women in regional, rural and remote areas are more likely than women in urban areas to experience domestic and family violence. Women living in regional, rural and remote areas who experience domestic and family violence face specific issues related to their geographical location and the cultural and social characteristics of living in small communities. There is a common view in rural communities that "family problems" such as ...domestic and family violence are not talked about, which serves to silence women's experience of domestic and family violence and deter them from disclosing violence and abuse. Fear of stigma, shame, community gossip, and a lack of perpetrator accountability deter women from seeking help. A lack of privacy due to the high likelihood that police, health professionals and domestic and family violence workers know both the victim and perpetrator can inhibit women's willingness to use local services. Women who do seek help find difficulty in accessing services due to geographical isolation, lack of transportation options and not having access to their own income.* For more information and support, visit: https://domesticviolence.com.au *https://aifs.gov.au//domestic-and-family-violence-regional #AdvocateForChange #IDRW2020 #RuralWomen

01.01.2022 "The Commissioner had one message for the repeat DV offenders. You are going to be held to account, you are going to be monitored. And we will be knocking on your door to make sure you are held to account. I think we have an obligation for the safety of our community, particularly the women and children in the household to make sure they are as safe as possible...

01.01.2022 Can I report a sexual assault that happened a long time ago? Yes. It is quite common for victims of sexual assault to take some time in coming forward to report the matter.* This can be for many reasons, but no one asks or deserves to be a victim of sexual violence. It is not your fault and you are not to blame. If it happened some time ago, for example 6 months ago, yes you can still report it. Even if you were assaulted many years ago, you can still report it or talk to p...olice. This is called an historical investigation. To make a formal police report about a sexual assault which occurred in Queensland, whether recently or in the past, call Policelink on 131 444 or make an online sexual assault report to the Queensland Police Service. If you need information or support, visit https://domesticviolence.com.au/ * https://www.police.qld.gov.au///historical-or-past-assault #SexualViolenceAwarenessMonth #SVAM2020 #AdvocateForChange

01.01.2022 A child rarely lies about abuse. A child may change what they've said if they've been pressured or threatened to deny what's happened, or they're afraid of being removed from their family after they’ve told someone about it. Phone Triple Zero (000) if it’s an emergency or if you believe a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation. You can contact Family and Child Connect for advice and information, including parents, grandparents, other family members an...d young people. Family and Child Connect is a free service provided by trusted, local organisations who are experienced in working with families. Call 13FAMILY or 13 32 64. *https://www.qld.gov.au//what-is-child-ab/child-abuse-myths https://childprotectionweek.org.au/ #childprotectionweek2020 #advocateforchange

01.01.2022 I wish I could see how my partner was slowly isolating me by moving me from family, talking badly about my friends and colleagues, coercing me to give up work. Social isolation is a commonly used tactic by perpetrators to increase the victim’s dependence on them and reduce their chances of getting or seeking support. We asked survivors of domestic violence to tell us in their own words what they wish they had known sooner, so that others might relate and find their words he...lpful. We thank them for sharing their words and wisdom with us. #intheirownwords #advocateforchange