Take positive action today to build a safer Queensland

Domestic and family violence in Queensland has soared by more than 200 per cent over the past decade — despite the state being nine years into a 10-year strategy to curb it.

Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. This annual initiative aims:

  • raise awareness of domestic and family violence, including new legislation on coercive control
  • highlight the support services available
  • send a clear message that violence in our communities will not be tolerated

To honor the month, local First Nations organisations Mookai Rosie Bi-BayanQueensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) and Cape York/Gulf RAATSICC Adv. Assoc. Inc (RAATSICC) co-hosted a FREE FAMILY EVENT – Friday 30th May.

Statistics: Home – NO2DV QIFVLS

Approximately 70 people attended the event which featured service providers including Mission Australia’s Café One and Relationships Australia, guest speakers, free food and drinks, games and activities, and wellbeing support.

Representatives from QPS joined to share about new legislation on coercive control.

Guest speaker Sgt Jade Keating from the Domestic Violence Unit, explained how coercive control is when someone uses a pattern of abusive behaviours over time that hurt, humiliate, isolate, frighten, or threaten another person in order to control or dominate them, in addition to sharing about reporting pathways for victim/survivors. From 26 May 2025, coercive control is a criminal offence in Queensland.

We were also joined by newly elected MP Matt Smith.

“We have a responsibility as a community, and as men, to ensure that this kind of thing doesn’t happen in our society… When I attend rallies, marches, events like today, I find myself significantly outnumbered women to men, so there needs to be more male voices in this space.”

The event also supported the QIFVLS ‘NO2DV’ campaign, including presentations from NO2DV Ambassadors – https://no2dv.com.au/

Ambassador and QIFVLS staff member Andrew Adidi shared:

This is a message that means a lot to me, and to so many of us. Too many of our families, our mobs, have been hurt by domestic violence and sexual assault. It’s caused pain that runs deep—through generations. But it doesn’t have to be our story moving forward.

That’s what NO2DV is all about. It’s about our communities—our Elders, our young people, our families—standing strong together and saying enough is enough. No more silence. No more shame. No more violence.

As an ambassador, I’m here to help share that message—wearing the shirt, sharing on social media, having those honest yarns, putting up posters, handing out merch. But more than that, it’s about showing up and being a voice for change in my community.

Because change starts with us. With our strength. With our culture. With how we look after each other.

So if you—or someone you know—is passionate about standing up to DV and helping our communities be safer and stronger, come and see us today. Have a yarn. Find out how you can get involved.”

Mookai Rosies’s Clinic Team Leader commented “it takes all of us, working together, to create a real change”

If you think you, or someone you know, may be experiencing abuse, please reach out and talk to someone you trust. Support is available, when you’re ready…

DVConnect Womensline (24/7): 1800 811 811

DVConnect Mensline (24/7): 1800 600 636

MensLine Australia (24/7): 1300 789 978

Sexual Assault Helpline (7.30am-11.30pm, 7 days): 1800 010 120

Kids Helpline (24/7): 1800 551 800

Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14

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