STRONGER TOGETHER: Hope Amidst Crisis

"STRONGER TOGETHER" is a weekly column where Tanya explores key issues. This week Tanya discusses the crisis level of domestic and family violence in Bundaberg, highlighting the increasing reports and severity, while emphasising community efforts and hope for generational change.

By IMPACT Community Services Managing Director Tanya O'Shea

Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month to raise community awareness of DFV and to send a clear message that DFV in families and homes will not be tolerated. The tone of this week’s column is therefore a little more sombre than normal, as I use this opportunity to raise awareness of what is happening in our own backyard.

DFV in Bundaberg is at a crisis level, with year-on-year increases in the reporting of DFV incidents resulting in DFV being the number one call for police service in our region.  The level of physical violence has escalated to a point not seen before, with every second job that police are called to now involving some form of DFV.

Take a moment and let that sink in. I guarantee that it won’t take you long to agree – these levels of violence in our community are unacceptable. The people in our community deserve better and we all have a role to play to create the change that is needed.

Because these are not just numbers; they represent real people in our community. Wives, husbands, children, girlfriends, boyfriends, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, friends, neighbours—DFV knows no boundaries. It affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

The emotional toll on all involved is devastating, from the victim-survivors to their family, friends and work colleagues, the wider community, and police officers dealing with this day-in-day-out, shift after shift, week after week.

This DFV Prevention Month, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bundaberg Patrol Group Inspector Grantley Marcus as part of our Stronger Together podcast and find out more about his role as our local Chief Inspector and as the Chair of the Bundaberg DFV Free Community Working Group.

The current environment is filled with complexities and challenges that people are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate. According to Inspector Marcus, higher populations, rising cost of living stresses, homelessness, increased drug and alcohol use, and greater recognition and comfort of people reporting have all contributed to increased reports of DFV.

Yet, he also offered a beacon of hope.

DFV is becoming less of a private, personal issue behind closed doors. The community is now calling out that it's wrong, unacceptable, and must be stopped. Victim-survivors are finding the courage to report incidents, and there are more services available in community to support both victims and perpetrators.

Specialist police units, comprehensive training, close partnerships with community organisations, and the introduction of Safe Rooms—quiet, comfortable, and private spaces within stations—have helped police officers to better support victim-survivors in vulnerable situations with sensitivity and care.

The DFV Free Community Working group is a collaboration of local community members who are committed to creating a free from domestic and family violence. "It's bold...it's ambitious...[but] ultimately, that's what everybody wants...a safe community," said Inspector Marcus.

It's not going to happen this year, not even next year. It needs to be a generational change, much like previous campaigns to reduce skin cancer or tobacco use, but it's a start.

Because everyone deserves to feel safe at home. And because silence helps no one.

If you would like to listen to this episode of IMPACT’s Stronger Together podcast visit https://impact.org.au/podcast/