New Police Partnership Puts Victim-Survivors At The Centre

A powerful new initiative is giving victim-survivors of domestic and family violence in the Mackay, Whitsunday, and Isaac regions a safer, more supportive path to justice, and it's all thanks to a ground-breaking partnership between Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Mackay Women’s Services (MWS).

The program, which embeds a Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Police Officer within MWS, is already showing results. Designed to remove barriers that often prevent victim-survivors from seeking help, the initiative brings services together under one roof to foster trust, autonomy, and timely support.

Senior Sergeant Kane Hildebrand, Officer in Charge of Mackay’s Domestic Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Prevention Unit, said, “The main purpose is to streamline the process of victim survivors.”

“We understand that victim survivors sometimes have limitations when attending police stations,” he said.

“We're trying to circumvent that and make it easier for them to report.”

Hildebrand highlighted the significant number of cases that remain unreported, pointing to the fear and isolation many victim-survivors endure.

“We also are aware that there's significant unreported domestic and family violence within our community, as we know, unreported domestic family violence is a victim survivor who is living in fear and who often doesn't have that support,” he said.

“We hope this project will improve that support network for them and also encourage them to come forward, knowing that they've got this service available that’s a one stop shop.”

At the heart of the program is the concept of a “hub” – designed to be a single location where wraparound care and support services are delivered in one coordinated setting.

“We're looking to create a hub where they have that opportunity to engage with all services at the one location and get that support they need,” Hildebrand said.

“This is going to help us around perpetrator accountability as well.”

“We know power and control is the main aspect of domestic and family violence, so this is going to hopefully bring back some of that power and control to the victim-survivor.

“For the perpetrators, I've got a very simple but strong message – if you commit acts of violence, you will be held to account.”

MWS CEO Belinda Berg described the initiative as a crucial step forward.

“This is such a great opportunity,” she said.

“This is what integrated services are all about.

“We are here for our victim survivors and we’re hopeful that this will shine a light on how to get support in our region.”

“We are the domestic and family violence lead agency for our region – Isaacs, Mackay and Whitsundays – and our collaboration with Queensland Police Service is really important,” she said.

Mackay Whitsunday District Officer Superintendent Dean Cavanagh emphasised the community-wide support needed.

“Domestic and family violence may be behind closed doors, but it's not a private issue. It's a community issue and it needs a whole community response.”

This partnership marks a new chapter – reclaiming safety, dignity, and power for those who have endured in silence for too long.

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