This Government Response to the Not Now, Not Ever Report details how Government will continue to lead and collaborate in partnership with the community in the short, medium and long term. It recognises that domestic and family violence is a societal issue that requires a whole of community coordinated response. It will require Government’s, businesses’, community groups’ and every Queenslander’s collective efforts to realise the change that is necessary. Together we can achieve the ultimate vision of a Queensland free from domestic and family violence. Queensland’s Journey to end domestic and family violence “Not Now, Not Ever” Domestic and Family Violence Report is presented to the Premier, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP – February 2015 What we have done so far Community attitudes and behaviours Integrating service responses Strengthening justice system responses Police Deputy Commissioner appointed to champion cultural change Two additional crises support shelters announced Developed model for trial of specialist domestic and family violence Magistrates Court 15 Community Leader Roundtables conducted Invested in specialist domestic and family violence services under Stronger Families reforms Commenced new domestic and family violence court rules 10 public sector departments signed up to CEO Challenge Stocktake of domestic and family violence services commenced $1.1M allocated to expand domestic violence duty lawyer service QPS Statewide Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator reinstated $1.5M allocated to DVConnect Womensline Developed consultation model of Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board Government Response to the “Not Now, Not Ever” report released – August 2015 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention draft Strategy released for community engagement – August 2015 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy finalised – December 2015 Priorities for the next 6 months Community attitudes and behaviours Integrating service responses Strengthening justice system responses* Establish Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council Develop model for three integrated service delivery pilots Review and introduce amendments to Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act Enhance focus on respectful relationships in Queensland schools Expand network of integrated specialist support services Develop amendments to criminal laws to provide greater perpetrator accountability Roll out Constructive Workforce Culture Program for Queensland Public Sector Review Police Operational Manual to prioritise safety of victims and arrest of perpetrators Prepare for trial site in Queensland for national domestic violence order scheme
55 The Queensland Government commissions the Australian College of Midwives to develop training for midwives on asking pregnant women about exposure to domestic violence during ante-natal appointments and how to deal with disclosure, and a tool kit to provide practical guidance on implementing the national practice guidelines. Accepted The Queensland Government agrees that training and the development of a tool kit would be beneficial for all health professionals. The Queensland Government, through the Department of Health, will work with key stakeholders including the Australian College of Midwives on the development of training for all health professionals who work with women including midwives, based on existing resources in other jurisdictions. A statewide train-the-trainer program will be developed to support the implementation of the toolkit across public and private sector health services in Queensland. (As per the response to recommendation 52). 56 Hospital and Health Services ensure that all midwives receive appropriate training and that all women attending ante-natal clinics are asked about their exposure to domestic and family violence and appropriate referrals occur if domestic violence is disclosed. Accepted The Queensland Government recognises the important role of midwives in recognising domestic and family violence. The Queensland Government, through the Department of Health, will work with key stakeholders including the Australian College of Midwives on the development of training for all health professionals who work with women, including midwives, based on existing resources in other jurisdictions. A training program will be delivered within each Hospital and Health Service. 57 The Australian College of Midwives develops a continuing professional development program to educate midwives on asking pregnant women about exposure to domestic violence during ante-natal appointments and how to deal with disclosure. Supported The Queensland Government supports the intent of this recommendation. The Queensland Government, through the Department of Health, will write to the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) to ensure they have access to the resources developed for recommendations 55 and 56 to enable the ACM to build on these resources for the continuing professional development program. 58 The Queensland Chief Health Officer and Queensland Chief Nurse work with private hospitals to encourage similar admission procedures in private maternity hospitals, and to make available for use any tools or material produced for public midwives. Accepted The Queensland Government will work with the private health sector in developing resources and will share these resources with the private health sector, including private maternity hospitals.
71 The Queensland Government undertakes an immediate audit of services to ensure adequate resources are available to meet demand for specialist domestic and family violence services, including perpetrator intervention initiatives and specialist shelters. Accepted The Queensland Government has commenced an audit of services to inform the development of a long term funding model (see Recommendation 72) to guide future investment in the domestic and family violence service system. 72 The Queensland Government develops a long term funding and investment model, informed by the audit on the best mix of specialist and generalist services, to be implemented, as a minimum, over the five year forward estimates commencing in 2016/2017, to meet needs and address any gaps. Accepted The Queensland Government will develop a funding and investment model that will guide future investment in the domestic and family violence service system. 73 The Queensland Government explicitly outlines in the funding and investment model how new investment in service delivery for rural and remote communities will: Enhance collaboration and coordination Encourage innovation in service delivery Improve service to Queensland’s rural and remote communities into the future Expand technology to support victims of domestic and family violence Attract and retain highly skilled workers to support victims of domestic and family violence in rural and remote communities Link rural and remote services into the broader network of domestic and family violence service providers. Accepted The Queensland Government will develop a funding and investment model that will guide future investment in the domestic and family violence service system and address specific service delivery issues in rural and remote communities. 74 The Queensland Government immediately, and in collaboration with the domestic and family violence service sector, establishes pilots for an integrated response model, incorporating: One urban integrated response to domestic and family violence One regional city integrated response to domestic and family violence, with outreach programs to rural and remote communities One discrete Indigenous community integrated response (as discussed in section 5.2 of this Report). Accepted The Queensland Government has commenced planning for the three integrated service response pilots with stakeholder engagement, co-design activities, implementation and evaluation to follow. Critical foundational work underway includes development of a common risk assessment framework and information sharing guidelines to be implemented as part of the pilots. 75 These trial sites need to be reviewed and evaluated, with a view to expanding the number of sites for integrated services over a defined period of time to transition to state-wide integrated service responses. Accepted The Queensland Government will evaluate the pilot sites to inform the integrated service response models.
137 The Queensland Police Service appoints the Deputy Commissioner (Regional Operations) to champion best practice domestic and family violence prevention and first responder practice in the Queensland Police Service. The Deputy Commissioner would be responsible, among other things, for increasing officers’ awareness and understanding of domestic and family violence and its impact on involved parties, police and the community, with a view to creating positive cultural change within the Queensland Police Service. Accepted The Queensland Government will immediately appoint the Deputy Commissioner (Regional Operations) to champion police domestic and family violence best practice and cultural change. 138 The Queensland Police Service facilitates an external independent audit and review of training packages currently available to officers, with a view to assessing the appropriateness and frequency of compulsory professional development opportunities relevant to domestic and family violence. Components for enhancement of officers’ conceptual understanding of dynamics of domestic and family violence, communication skills, as well as cultural awareness and sensitives should be assessed. Accepted The Queensland Government acknowledges the complexities of domestic and family violence and will review training packages available to police. 139 The Queensland Government duly notes the advice to be received from the Family Law Council (due December 2015) in relation to the terms of reference issued by the Commonwealth in October 2014 in relation to the needs of parents resolving parenting disputes. However, the Queensland Government must not wait for the Family Law Council report to proceed with recommendations in this report. Some reforms implemented following this Taskforce may need to be reviewed to reflect/coordinate with any Commonwealth reforms made longer term following the Family Law Council report. Accepted The Queensland Government will note the advice from the Family Law Council and consider the recommendations once the Council has reported. Under its current Terms of Reference, the Council is to provide its final report to the Commonwealth Attorney-General by 30 June 2016. 140 The Queensland Government undertakes a review of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act by 31 December 2015, to ensure a cohesive legislative framework for domestic and family violence in Queensland that incorporates major reforms recommended in this Report. Resulting legislative amendments to be made as soon as possible, but not later than by 30 June 2016. Accepted The Queensland Government has commenced a review of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 to ensure a cohesive legislative framework for domestic and family violence in Queensland. Final timing of legislative amendments will be subject to the outcomes of the review and parliamentary processes.