A Safer Space For Survivors

Survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence will have a safer place to access support, after the State Government announced a major funding boost to service providers and court facilities across the Mackay and Whitsunday region.

Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman visited Mackay last week to reveal local domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) services would receive an extra $900,000, as part of a $22.5 million boost for services across the state over the next three years.

These recommendations were part of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, headed by the Honourable Margaret McMurdo AC. The Taskforce was established in March 2021 to examine coercive control, and review both the need for a specific offence of ‘domestic violence’ and the experience of women across the criminal justice system.

It was also announced that the Mackay Courthouse will undergo a $3 million transformation which will include a new secure safe room and other refurbishments to make the justice system process less harrowing for victims of abuse.

The Attorney-General said the current facilities at the Mackay Courthouse aren’t tailored to making women feel safe, and that the upgrades will help to encourage more victims to come forward.

“We need secure, safe spaces for multiple women and their children. It needs to be a relaxing space where they can access services, and there needs to be separate entrances for victims entering the court so they don’t have to come face-to-face with their alleged perpetrator,” Minister Fentiman said.

Survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence will often live a life of unimaginable pain, both physically and mentally, before seeking help. It takes immense courage to step away and report the crime, with victims experiencing a plethora of emotion; from sadness and depression to anger and embarrassment.

But for the men and women who have suffered at the hands of another, the battle doesn’t end there. Facing their perpetrator during their first interaction with the justice system is a terrifying reality for some, and can be especially confronting when a victim is made to navigate past the accused in a waiting area or is asked to discuss sensitive and emotional information in a courthouse hallway.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said that the greater Mackay region will receive $900,000 to go to DFSV support services.

“It is so important that dedicated support workers receive the tools they need to help victims better manage their trauma,” the Attorney-General said.

“We have seen an increased demand for services driven by a number of factors, including national attention on women’s safety, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Total funding to sexual, domestic and family violence services in the Mackay and Whitsunday region is now more than $5 million for the 2022-23 financial year.

Councillor Belinda Hassan is on the Mackay Women’s Services board and spoke on behalf of the Mackay Women Services, which incorporates the Domestic Violence Resource Service, the Mackay Women’s Centre and the Mackay Sexual Assault Service.

“We’ve always had a greater demand for services than we’ve been able to keep up with, our waitlist is awfully long, this additional funding will allow us to help more people in the community,” Cr Hassan said.

“The funding will allow us to retain the great staff we have and employ one more counsellor to help with child and adolescent counselling, women’s counselling services and sexual assault counselling.”

“We know this funding will make a real difference to vulnerable Queenslanders most at risk,” Minister Fentiman added.

The Attorney-General said the $3 million for the Mackay Courthouse would be used to make domestic violence survivors feel safer.

“The room at the Mackay Courthouse is currently a very small room where victims can wait to go to court, but it is nothing like what we actually need,” Minister Fentiman said.

“It will also mean interview rooms.

“At the moment, duty lawyers or court support staff have to have conversations with victim survivors in the hallway which is not good enough.

“We want our courthouses to have the facilities women deserve and they deserve to have these conversations privately.”

Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert welcomed the additional boost for frontline services.

“It is crucial that we invest in our domestic violence and sexual services to ensure women and victims of violence can access support when they need it most,” Ms Gilbert said.

“To be able to make this space a comfortable and safe space for women and children is a great outcome for our community.”

(L-R) Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman and Councillor Belinda Hassan at the Mackay Courthouse to announce funding towards better services and facilities for domestic, family and sexual abuse victims. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

Funding was announced from the State Government for DFSV services as well as an upgrade to Mackay Courthouse. (L-R) Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman and Councillor Belinda Hassan. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

‍