Queensland’s new Domestic Violence Taskforce headed up by Dame Quentin Bryce has been given five months to work out how to stop the escalating rates of domestic violence in the state.
Taskforce Chair, Dame Quentin Bryce said she had found her preliminary listening tour around Queensland invaluable in gaining early insights into the issues and challenges of domestic violence.
“Many people shared their experiences and ideas with me. I have seen and heard first-hand a great deal about the horrific and traumatic violence that destroys the lives of so many women and their families,” Ms Bryce said.
“I am inspired by the professionalism and dedication of people who work in this demanding field. I welcome my fellow Taskforce members.
“I know that their diverse backgrounds, experience, skills and commitment will help us find more effective ways of dealing with this insidious problem.”
The eight-person taskforce is comprised of community representatives Heather Nancarrow, Anne Cross and Ada Woolla, LNP members Kerry Millard and Ian Kaye, Independent Liz Cunningham and Labor’s Desley Scott.
Premier Campbell Newman today released the terms of reference to ensure victims, frontline welfare workers, advocates and community leaders around Queensland could have their voice heard by the panel.
“We promised to make Queensland the safest place to live, work and raise a family and this Taskforce is part our strong plan to achieve this,” Mr Newman said.
“This bi-partisan taskforce will conduct state-wide consultation over the next two months to examine an issue that continues to get worse and which has a devastating human, social and economic cost to Queensland families.”
A Domestic and Family Violence survey, conducted for the Taskforce, found most people agreed that communities too often ignored or turned a blind eye to domestic and family violence.
The Taskforce will hold two summits – one in Brisbane and the other in regional Queensland – and will provide a final report to the Premier by 28 February, 2015.
NOTE: Overlay is available of Dame Quentin Bryce meeting with community leaders and domestic violence responders filmed recently in North Queensland via this Dropbox link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yv08pnrrqfxympf/AACz46G-2XrH9_0qtFIubO7La?dl=0
