Support for regional women fleeing domestic violence

DVConnect, Queensland’s only domestic and family violence hotline, is piloting a program to provide greater support to regionally based women fleeing domestic and family violence.

The pilot, which is being fully funded by QSuper, will provide greater access to counselling services for women placed in temporary motel accommodation in order to keep them safe.

Ms Michelle Wicks, Business Transformation Manager at DVConnect, stated that women in regional areas who are temporarily placed in motel accommodation when fleeing their homes, can feel isolated and are at risk of returning to potentially life threatening situations.

“Unfortunately, emergency accommodation in a motel is often the first safe place for a woman and her children when fleeing domestic and family violence, until more appropriate safe arrangement can be found,” she said.

The pilot will provide women access to a secure device to contact a specialist DVConnect crisis counsellor via a video call. The aim is to give women a ‘face to face’ experience to feel better supported while staying in motel accommodation.

As well as funding, QSuper will provide technology for the pilot which will be trialled in Gladstone and Bundaberg, areas which have limited or no after hours or weekend face to face support from specialist domestic violence counsellors. In 2017-18 there were 153 women and 231 children who spent 341 nights in motels in the Gladstone and Bundaberg areas.

“This is another example of QSuper making a real impact and standing up for victims of domestic and family violence. We couldn’t provide this service without the funding and technology provided by QSuper, who are such a huge supporter of DVConnect.”

QSuper CEO Mr Michael Pennisi said that supporting the program was an obvious choice for the Fund, who are committed to combatting domestic and family violence.

“Domestic violence takes a significant social, emotional and financial toll on its victims, who are predominantly women. With women making up almost two-thirds of QSuper membership and more than half of our workforce we feel a great responsibility to act,” he said.

Mr Pennisi also acknowledged the work of many QSuper members in supporting victims and families.

“Every day, thousands of our members either directly or indirectly support victims of domestic violence and their families – police, nurses, emergency services, teachers, child safety and legal officers, to name a few.”

“We want to mirror their commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable Queenslanders. Our partnership with DVConnect is a demonstration of that,” he said.