- North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Services is leading the new High-Risk Team in Townsville.
- Yumba-Meta have been selected to provide a First Nations Cultural Advisor role within the Townsville high risk team.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has announced North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Services is leading a new high-risk team (HRT) in Townsville after beginning operations in July.
HRTs coordinate and focus the efforts of government and community sector agencies to keep domestic and family violence (DFV) victims safe and hold perpetrators to account.
The model helps break down silos between the relevant agencies through time-critical information sharing and safety management for victims, delivering seamless, wrap-around support that keeps women and children safe from domestic and family violence.
Townsville is the first of three new HRTs the Palaszczuk Government has committed to delivering over four years in response to recommendations in the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce (WSJT) first report.
New teams will also be established in Redlands and Rockhampton, adding to the eight already in operation around the state.
The Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce was very positive of the HRT model but identified further opportunities to strengthen the model by improving cultural capability within the teams.
To achieve this, all new high-risk teams will have an embedded First Nations Cultural Advisor to provide tailored advice around the specific needs of First Nations individuals, with consideration of local protocols, languages, and family or kinship groups.
Townville-based community-controlled organisation Yumba-Meta has been selected to provide the First Nations Cultural Advisor role on the Townsville high risk team.
The leadership and expertise of both the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Services and Yumba-Meta will place Townsville in an even better position to support women and children at high risk of domestic and family violence.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:
“The needs of domestic and family violence victim-survivors are complex, often requiring input and support from multiple services and agencies.
“High-risk teams have proven to be an effective model for focusing and coordinating the efforts of all those agencies providing support, ensuring a shared understanding of what needs to be delivered to best support the needs of DFV victims and their children.
“Independent evaluations have shown these teams are enabling faster and more targeted responses for victim-survivors and perpetrators.
“I am delighted to announce that the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Services (NQDVRS) is leading the high-risk team and integrated service response in Townsville.
“Since 1994, NQDVRS has provided a range of crisis intervention, face-to-face assistance and group programs for victims and perpetrators of domestic and family violence.
“The organisation is well-respected, works closely with other women’s services in the Townsville region and has links with a wide range of local and state services.
“I also congratulate Yumba-Meta, which has been selected to provide a First Nations Cultural Advisor on the Townsville high risk team.
“Yumba-Meta recently celebrated 50 years of housing, counselling and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Townsville, and it brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the high-risk team.
“I look forward to continuing to work with our government and non-government partners through the Townsville high risk team, which I’m confident will deliver consistent, quality responses that meet the needs of victim-survivors, their children, and persons using violence.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:
“Both the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service and Yumba-Meta already assist so many people in Townsville and I know they will do a vitally important job in helping those affected by domestic and family violence in the community.
“Domestic and family violence has no place in society but as a government we will continue to support those affected by it through programs like the High-Risk Team.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Townsville Scott Stewart:
“We will always invest in evidence-based services which help keep the Townsville community safe.
“Having two local organisations as part of this team is important because they know Townsville so well.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:
“Ensuring there is open communication and collaboration between local services and government agencies is essential which is why this service is important for Townsville.
“Townsville stands strong against domestic and family violence and we will invest in programs like the High Risk team to tackle this serious issue.”
