Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, who facilitated the partnership between Coast2Bay Housing Group and Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast branches for the construction of domestic and family violence (DFV) units starting in July, congratulated both on a partnership that has acquired land in Noosa.
This will deliver a vital component of RISE 2 (Restart In A Safe Environment) for residents impacted by DFV.
“Even though I was unable to join them on 92.7MIX FM to thank them in person, the contribution from Bendigo of $500,000, demonstrates how a difference can really be made,“ she said.
“I thank the board members and their teams, all residents who bank with them, and Coast2Bay who contributed just over that amount to purchase the site, with the balance provided from the Queensland Government to enable the build.”
Ms Bolton said regardless of extra supports and services for families impacted by DFV, especially since the Covid pandemic over the last three years, the statistics continue to grow.
“This as I have raised is a deeply concerning, however it has been pointed out that this may not reflect that greater violence is happening, more that it is victims finally coming forward due to the prevalence of changes in both our society, as well legislation including recently around coercive control.”
As part of the Hear Her Say report, the Queensland Government has actioned recommendations including providing $363 million in funding. Further, they have also announced an additional $154.4 million over the next four years to support frontline services and violence-prevention programs, and locally extra funding to Sunny Kids and the Noosa Salvation Army for counselling and accommodation assistance.
As well, $55.95 million in new initiatives with $16 million for assistance under the five-year Plan for the Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women.
“There has been so much done, however much more to so. As chair of the Youth Justice Reform Committee, I heard and saw the impacts that violent households have on everyone in our communities, with a majority of youth crime offenders coming from homes impacted by DFV. We need to end the harm being perpetrated against one another, and this will take the efforts of all,” she said.
As a long-term resident, Sandy works at the grassroots level to mitigate the impacts for those in Noosa households, which has included providing accommodation in her own home or in a resort, as well raising awareness on the importance of saying ‘No’ and reporting to police. This through events such as Billion Rising at Noosa Main Beach, dedicated walks, and talking with victims who are not prepared to seek assistance, report the violence, nor leave an abusive relationship.
“These conversations, often in the middle of the night, reveal many of the contributors to this violence, such as addictions and mental health, as well the reasons for not leaving. This can include financial hardship, and the lack of affordable housing accommodations, and is just one area that I have focused on,” she said.
“In addition to the RISE 2 initiative, our work with Noosa Salvos on their accommodation project including providing funding to ‘kick start’ Womenkind’s contribution to this, as well an afterhours and weekend support service, will assist. However, we need the longer-term affordable housing, and even though we have state and federal government funded projects in the pipeline, the reality is that it will be at least two years until they are constructed. Hence why I called on the Minister for Housing to intervene regarding the former House with No Steps site, as it has the capacity for interim accommodation options until these and others are constructed,” Ms Bolton said.
“One of the areas that is confronting to all is that those that often those who need the most help to manage their anger and relationships, do not access the assistance as it is voluntary in the early stages. We have incredible, Noosa grown programs such as the Reset Support Service that are referred to when a Domestic Violence Order is initiated, however currently there is no obligation to attend.”
In the previous Budget and again in this budget, the Noosa MP called for a dedicated DFV court on the Sunshine Coast to address both unacceptable delays, as well needed specialised knowledge required in this very complex space. In addition, increased funding for Community Legal Centres, as even though her call during last budget realised an increase, it is not enough to keep up with demand.
“DFV information and support services should always be provided as soon as you know of anyone being impacted. DV Connect is funded to provide this so please connect anyone in need via 1800811811 (1800RESPECT) to access both information as well emotional and physical supports through what is a deeply traumatic and confronting time,” Ms Bolton said.
Regarding mental health and addictions, we have seen some improvements to our MP’s advocacies such as mental telehealth now at Noosa Hospital and an extra Ambulance Co -responder team, however there is more needed, such as the Health Outreach Team operating on weekends, which she has raised in this upcoming budget.
Ms Bolton furthered, “We need both sides of politics to provide concrete commitments on exactly how they are going to further mitigate these contributors. This includes reform to arenas such as education to embed into the curriculum a focus on wellness and behaviour management alongside the current healthy relationships program, as much earlier assessments, interventions and preventions are needed. This should be a bipartisan agreement that moves beyond an election term, as this is what Queenslanders are seeking for all major issues that are impacting our communities.”
