In Australia, one in three women experience violence in their lifetime, while in Queensland, 19 lives were lost to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) between 1 July, 2023, and 30 June of this year.
The 16 Days of Activism, an internationally recognised campaign led by UN Women, recognises the urgent need for change by calling for a renewed commitment from everyone to create a safer world, free from violence.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) recognises the importance of this commitment and is dedicated to eliminating gender-based violence by working closely with government agencies and external support services, strengthening victim-centric responses, and holding perpetrators to account.
Assistant Commissioner for Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Command, Katherine Innes recognises the importance of these calendar events.
“DFV is an incredibly complex, community issue and one which the QPS is committed to,” Assistant Commissioner Innes said.
“By working with specialists to ensure victim-centric responses and holding perpetrators to account, together we can make a difference and can end the cycle of gender-based violence.
“Calendar events such as ‘The 16 Days of Activism’ are an incredible opportunity to renew our commitments, but as this comes to an end for this year, we must ensure we support those affected by DFV to find pathways to safety and a future free from violence, everyday and beyond.”
The QPS acknowledges the role our partners in government agencies, non-government organisations and the community have in working together, to prevent, disrupt, respond and investigate DFV.
Sometimes people may not realise they are in an abusive relationship or they are experiencing DFV, as it can manifest in many different ways, and often occurs behind closed doors.
Friends or family may be the first to identify certain behaviours in their friend’s or loved one’s relationship aren’t quite right.
For more information about reporting Domestic and Family Violence, visit police.qld.gov.au/domestic-violence
