Domestic and Family Violence prevention month.

The month of May is Queensland’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, coinciding with the United Nation’s International Day of Families on 15 May.

The month hopes to bring to light the issue of family violence, ensuring that every one of us says no to violent and abusive behaviour.

Unfortunately, Queensland has become known as a state of violence with a number of cases of intimate partner violence in recent years.

Fortunately, Queensland leaders have acknowledged the need to reduce violence. The Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland was established to uncover ways to prevent violence and bolster existing community services for improved victim support. You can read their findings here.

Women and children are not only affected by violence in the home: animals are included in those harmed and re-homed with community support.

According to the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre, research from VicHealth shows that, “intimate partner violence contributes to more death, disability and illness in women aged 15 to 44 than any other preventable risk factor.” This makes standing up to violence in the home, at work and in all public spaces all the more important.

A segment of ABC’s 7:30 Report aired on 21 March 2017 tells the empowering story of a domestic violence victim who started her own charity with the help of Foodbank. You can read more about her story here.

Foodbank wholeheartedly supports the many women’s violence refuges and home relocation services that access our warehouse each week – we are proud to be associated with the important work these refuges offer their clients. We hope that our support now will mean more people are helped today with a reduced need in the future.

To find out more about support services near you, please contact the Domestic Violence hotline on 1800 811 811 (QLD) or the 1800 RESPECT National help line on 1800 737 732. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.