Queensland’s business and community sectors have pledged to use their immense reach and influence to join the fight against domestic and family violence at an Australian first forum hosted by the Palaszczuk Government.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said bringing the corporate community sectors together at this forum is part of akey signature action under the Not Now, Not Ever Third Action Plan, released by the Premier today.
“The forum brought together 200 people representing more than 130 organisations, who collectively have reach into millions of households and individual lives,” she said.
“Queensland’s corporate and community sectors have the potential to reach so many and share the message far and wide.
“Some organisations are already well on their way, so they’ve committed to some very ambitious actions, while others are taking their first steps, and I welcome their commitment to starting on this journey.
“Big or small, every action is important and helps to build the Queensland we want to be.”
Ms Farmer said attendees had committed to a range of actions, including rolling out the Alison Baden-Clay foundations MATES bystander program within their organisations, engaging with White Ribbon about men’s programs, and developing domestic and family violence policies.
“There was one commitment which spoke to me – it underlines the kind of impact workplaces can have in preventing and responding to domestic and family violence,” she said.
“A very simple action – I will have the conversation with the person I’ve been meaning to.
“That one thing – that could change a life. It could save a life.”
CEO of the Gold Coast Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Rosemary O’Malley described the event as “a watershed event”.
“The idea was completely original – I have already had emails from colleagues in NSW and Victoria who have read the media reports and want to know how this came about and what the outcomes were,” she said.
“The connecting conversations and workshops were surprising and deeply hopeful.”
Ms Farmer said the government would make sure to support the corporate and community sectors as they move forward.
“As a government, we know we can’t do this alone – but we don’t expect the corporate and community sectors to do it alone either,” she said.
“That is why we will be developing a formal Corporate and Community Sector Engagement Strategy as a key signature piece of the Third Action Plan.
“As we partner with the corporate and community sectors, supporting each other and working together to create the Queensland we want to be, we say: Not Now. Not Ever. Together.”
