Domestic and Family Violence
2024–25
In 2024-25, Brisbane Domestic and Family Violence Service (BDVS) improved support for women and families experiencing violence by working directly with local family services, police, and courts.
With other community organisations and a network of specialist organisations, they’re supporting broader reforms, improving support and making it easier for people to get the help they need.
Key figures
2,109 women
supported with first response or ongoing planned support
Thank you for your all of your help and assistance. I still have a long way to go, but I’m forever grateful for everything that you have done for me. Just you being there listening to me, giving me so much advice and helping me was amazing.
Brisbane Housing Connectors
Providing planned support and advocacy to support women to access and sustain housing safely as they recover from domestic and family violence.
Key figures
53 women
supported into stable and sustainable housing after experiencing domestic and family violence in their recovery journey
9 adults
using violence supported into stable and sustainable housing
Thank you to our funders, consortia, partners and collaborators
- Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety (DFSDSCS)
- Queensland Police Service (QPS),
- Financial Counselling Australia
- Brisbane South Primary Health Network.
Integrated Services
Working with government services such as health, courts, police, child safety, corrections and housing.
Working with community through connection and referral services, the Spread the Warmth campaign, and Candlelighting Vigils.
Working with Police
Specialist practitioners and services embedded with Queensland Police Service.
|
2024–25 |
|
|---|---|
|
1,315
|
victim-survivors supported by DFV Specialist Practitioners embedded with 10 Police Stations |
|
783 supported in person at a police station |
|
|
5,544 |
referrals received by BDVS from the QPS |
|
775 |
women supported by a DFV specialist advocate with the QPS Vulnerable Persons Unit |
Financial Counselling
Helping rebuild financial stability after abusive relationships.
|
2024–25 |
|
|---|---|
|
136 |
accessed financial counselling |
|
215 |
Appointments |
Financial Counselling is provided with funding from Australian Financial Foundation.
Key figures
$1,233,307 debt
accrued due to economic abuse waived with financial couselling support
I plan to continue working on my cultural framework and use an action plan to keep myself accountable to the changes I can make to improve my practice for First Nations people.
Government and Community
Working with government services
We are active members in WorkUp Queensland Growing Our Workforce, contributing to the growth and establishment of more specialist practitioners across the sector.
We hosted Practice Forums to enhance the understanding and improve whole of system responses to the diverse needs of our community, these included:
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Victim Survivors, Immigrant Women’s Support Service
- Intellectual or Learning Disabilities Victim Survivors by Women with Intellectual or Learning Disabilities (WWILD)
- Exploring and developing your first nations cultural competency, Strong Women Talking
- Queering Practice, Queer and Trans Workers Against Violence
- Understanding and supporting sex workers with DFV, Respect Inc
Working with community
We work with the community through connection and referral services, the Spread the Warmth campaign, and Candlelighting Vigils.
The annual Candlelighting Vigil was held in May to acknowledge and remember people who have lost their lives because of domestic or family abuse.
|
Spread the Warmth Campaign |
|
|---|---|
|
$2,735 |
raised for women experiencing domestic and family violence |
|
457 |
brand new robes |
This was an amazing learning opportunity and enjoyed discussing myths and challenge my own unconscious bias.