108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
Today, October 2 is the International day of Non-Violence. Our region has historically experienced shockingly high statistics of domestic violence, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened the number of violent acts being committed in homes in the Bundaberg region.
At IMPACT Community Services we have seen a spike in domestic violence cases following the outbreak of Coronavirus and the following restrictions and lockdown period. We are engaged with families involved with domestic violence every day. Our incredible Intensive Family Support (IFS) staff work tirelessly with families in violent circumstances, and help at-risk partners and children flee their homes when things become unbearable. Our IFS staff are on the frontlines and bear witness to the distressing situations many people are involved in.
Of course, it’s never okay to become violent to anyone or anything, but we understand there are several complex factors involved when this type of act is prevalent in families.
Need assistance in overcoming life's obstacles? Our Community Navigators are here to help.
When underlying issues involving financial burdens, drug use and alcohol abuse are present, the additional advice during COVID-19 to limit social outings and on-site work have compounded pre-existing pressures in homes that may have already been ill-equipped to manage stress adequately. Many workers lost their jobs or were given reduced hours when the pandemic hit, adding fuel to an already stoked fire.
The important message to get across here is that there are services available to people in these situations. Our IFS staff don’t judge families who need assistance. We approach any given situation with open minds and a willingness to help. Ultimately, our staff want to make a difference in people’s lives. We work to prevent Government departments becoming involved, to give people the opportunity to build strong and healthy futures for themselves. We work to broaden available support networks to help both the parent’s and children’s wellbeing.
Parenting is the world’s hardest job, and everyone is a on a learning journey – it’s okay to reach out for help. When families are ready for support, we let them lead the conversation in how we can best assist them to make beneficial changes within the family dynamic. We can also help with tenancy support, connecting people with specialist appointments, parenting tips, behavior management tools, household management and routine structure, safety planning, advocating for services such as mental health or for housing, and provide access to DV Connect.
Interested in volunteering? Contact our CVS program today.
Sometimes people don’t understand the severity of their situation until they speak with someone removed from the immediate family structure. There are varying forms of violence and abuse, be that physical, mental or emotional, and acknowledging someone’s trauma can help them understand the realities of their lived experiences. Having someone to talk to is the first step to recovery, and once the conversation has begun, IFS can then approach their needs in a holistic way, wrapping support around people and families as needed.
When applying for certain assistance, families can become overwhelmed with tight criteria and departmental jargon that can be difficult to decipher. Our staff help clients articulate exactly what they need so they can be aligned with the services they are entitled to.
It’s important to remember that domestic violence is never okay and there are services available to help. If you are experiencing violence in your home, you can phone 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT) or DV Connect on 1800 811 811.
If you’d like to make a referral for support, you can contact Family and Child Connect on 13 32 34.
If you’re in need of assistance but unsure about how to proceed, please feel free to phone our IFS team for advice on 4153 4233.
Today, R U OK? Day and World Suicide Prevention Day both fall within Child Protection Week.
Here at IMPACT Community Services we thought it fitting to speak with our Intensive Family Support unit to identify when someone might need assistance and how they can go about seeking that help.
Rose is a 31-year-old stay at home mother of three who relies heavily on Centrelink assistance to provide for her young family while breeding her purebred dogs for additional income. Her eldest child, 9, has violent behavioural management issues and, along with her 5-year-old, has not been formally diagnosed with a disability. Rose’s 3-month-old is at risk of suffering developmental delays due to the violent nature of the siblings.
She feels isolated, judged by others and is afraid her current situation will never improve. Her biggest fears involve having Child Safety remove her children, the baby’s father taking full custody, and having her children develop criminal behaviour that requires legal intervention.
Rose suffers from her own childhood trauma which has led to her own children being subjected to unhealthy role models and violent tendencies. Without intervention, Rose’s children could spiral into a world of crime, violence, instability and contribute to further intergenerational trauma.
Does this situation sound familiar? Do you know someone in a similar situation who could use a hand up? With the support of IMPACT’s IFS program, Rose would gain a sense of feeling supported and connected in a trusting environment. She would also receive education on parenting to help her support her children and their needs appropriately without the fear of Child Services taking her kids.
Violence and trauma become triggers for larger events. Stop the cycle before it’s too late. R U OK? Start the conversation and be the support someone desperately needs. Ask, listen, encourage action and check in with your friend to follow up with their situation. For more information visit ruok.org.au.
If you are a struggling parent looking for support, phone Family and Child Connect on 13 32 64.
To raise awareness and show your support of suicide prevention, light a candle at a window at 8pm tonight. If you have been affected by suicide and would like someone to talk to, phone the 24-hour Lifeline support service on 13 11 14.
To enquire about support with IMPACT, phone 4153 4233 today.
Artwork: Goreng Goreng artist Rachael Sarra
A recent Australian National University (ANU) survey found almost 20% of people drank more under lockdown than they usually did.
Almost one third of those people said they started drinking three to four more drinks per week and 26.4 per cent said they had upped their intake by more than five drinks per week.
IMPACT Community Services has programs that can help if you think that you might fall into this category.
In her work, Intensive Family Support (IFS) Manager Melissa Clarke encounters people who sometimes have a consistent abuse of substances, and it has only become worse during the COVID-19 restrictions.
IFS provides support to families who are experiencing multiple and complex issues to prevent the Department of Child Safety becoming involved.
“It's become very clear that there is an increased use of alcohol to cope with the extra pressure of living under lock-down,” Ms Clarke said.
Ms Clarke said there was a long checklist of reasons why people might reach for a bottle to alleviate the extra pressure of living under coronavirus restrictions.
“I've talked to a lot of fearful clients, who are not venturing out or leaving home for fear of kids contracting illness and kids with behavioural issues,” Ms Clarke said.
“And the kids being home often just stacks problems on top of problems.”
Ms Clarke said for those with a history of trauma or pre-existing mental health issues the problem was only exacerbated.
“Many reach for the bottle to cope because it's largely socially acceptable.”
“But for some, the problem becomes so great that it starts to affect the people around them,” Ms Clarke said.
“Children get neglected, food isn't making it onto tables – neglecting your responsibilities will be one of the signs you may be drinking too much.”
Other signs your drinking may be a problem could be an increase in aggression and violence. Another big flag is that you seem to be building a tolerance to the amount you drink and it requires more to achieve the same result.
Ms Clarke said at IFS they looked at things holistically. “Not eating well, or exercising are signs of a life out of balance, and some treat alcohol as a way of filling some of these gaps,” she said.
“We encourage a more balanced approach, so we encourage people to walk, exercise, or get a free meditation app to help to ground themselves and help them to gain inner strength.”
And one of the most important measures one can take is to pick up phone and talk to people – friends and family.
A person needs honesty and the support of friends and family, but if the problem is advanced they need to see a professional. Be sure to reach out to your local drug and alcohol centre.
For those suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, Ms Clarke's most important advice is to be honest with yourself, and reach out to those who can help.
For more about IMPACT's Intensive Family Support program go to https://www.impact.org.au/intensive-family-support-ifs
May is Domestic Violence Prevention Month, a time to actively highlight the symptoms, effects and collateral damage of this ongoing societal problem, and to assure victims that there is always help available.
Maxine Revell is an Intensive Family Support (IFS) Case Manager at IMPACT Community Services and sees the effects of domestic violence up close almost every day. She feels strongly about finding approaches and interventions that work – to stop the abuse, violence, neglect – and to help us heal and thrive as stronger, more compassionate human beings.
Maxine doesn’t particularly like the term “domestic violence”, explaining that the language makes invisible the person who bullies and uses coercive control to terrorise their partner, siblings or parents, and children.
“Domestic Violence” or “Family Violence” is against the law and if people are not certain what the problem looks like or sounds like, Maxine encourages you to look up the Domestic Violence Act on the internet.
“This is the month to take time out and understand what domestic violence is, break it down, call it what it is, and take a stand to stop it,” Maxine said.
“Domestic violence is a pattern of behaving and having power over someone that acts to disempower, confuse and erode the victim’s sense of self and self-worth.
“People (victims) do not hand their power away – it's ignored or stomped on. When one person is dominating the relationship, the other person's sense of power within is diminished or squashed, making them feel insignificant, unsure and usually depressed.
“Children in this mix can become unhappy, oppositional, confused and mimic the behaviours.”
The good news, Maxine said, was that violence, abuse and coercion were learnt behaviours and could be unlearned.
She said she believed in the global Restorative Justice Movement, born out of the Marae system of Mana Motuhake in Aotearoa, New Zealand where restorative justice principles call for making right the wrong committed by the perpetrator.
It is an accountability model known to teach empathy for the victim/s and this is when behaviour change happens.
Maxine said that the local Bystander Campaign was also great because it was a call for family members and friends to get involved if they thought there was domestic or family violence around people they cared about, and not simply be a bystander to violence and abuse.
“Relationships with each other that are equal and equally satisfying where each person is getting their needs met will ensure a functioning, happy family,” she said.
"Every family’s experiences of domestic and family violence is different. However, children who have lived with ongoing aggression and abuse in their homes often say they fear for their lives and their parent’s lives.
"This can spark neurological difficulties leading to psychological difficulties which is why it is important to take a stand and say #notnownotever."
Prevention of more abuse is key, and safety plans can be a perfect guide for family meetings and conversations for everyone concerned.
According to Maxine what is also key in stopping the abuse is not to dehumanise the abuser. There are good programs for men, for example, that can help guide the process from someone you know being controlling, aggressive and entitled, to becoming respectful, contributing, happy and trusting (call MensLine on 1300 789 978 for more information).
“If drugs and alcohol are involved, take some video and show them the aggressive and/or abusive behaviour the next day,” Maxine said.
“Call a family meeting, discuss what happened and how everyone was affected, especially the younger members of the family.
“Make everyone accountable. Take responsibility. If someone says they are only violent when they are drinking or drugging then no drinking or drugging.
“I have never met an abusive person who is happy more than 25% of their time.
“And I often wonder, is this how they want their partners or their children to be, feeling sad and mad most of the time?”
Maxine believes there needs to be a cultural shift of believing that both men and women are equal – different but equal with equal rights.
This will take time, considering all the stereotypes of male roles and female roles that get reinforced through media, schools and "traditional" family values.
“Silence continues the violence and there is evidence that aggressive and abusive behaviour will get worse if there is no intervention,” Maxine said.
“Brothers are good to do this, or uncles and cousins and fathers, sisters, aunties, grandmothers and grandfathers. And, if your family intervention doesn’t work, call the Police or DV Connect.”
May is Domestic Violence Prevention month. What are you doing?
Lleyton came very close to being homeless during the COVID-19 lock-down, but thankfully he turned to IMPACT Community Services for support.
IMPACT Community Navigator Steven Hull was able to help Lleyton and his heavily-pregnant girlfriend find a new house to live in.
Despite the difficulties added by COVID-19, Steven was with Lleyton every step of the way until he had a roof over his head last Friday.
Lleyton loves his new home and says there's plenty of room for him and his partner, and for their baby who's due in a month or two.
Lleyton, 18, had experienced a lot of difficulty trying to secure a new home, mainly because of his young age.
“I found it difficult to get a home because I had no rental history,” he said.
“But IMPACT helped us out a lot, printed out all the papers we had to sign, and they even took them in for us.”
Lleyton's next goal is to find a job.
“I was doing mechanic training, but the boss sold the business. I'd like to learn farming,” he said.
Lleyton knew about the great support available at IMPACT from previous experiences.
Steven said he was delighted to have helped achieve such a positive outcome for Lleyton.
“We helped Lleyton fill out applications for every real estate in town, and got lucky when one contacted us only a day later to say they had a house available,” Steven said.
Steven and his team even helped Lleyton secure a bond loan through regional housing.
“The process can be daunting and he had no experience with it, so we were happy to help.”
Community Navigators were with him every step of the way, letting him know what his rights were and what support and services were available.
“Community Navigators is a great program,” Steven said.
“It fills in a lot of gaps in services and offers support for people like Lleyton who need a hand to make positive steps ahead.
“It's always good to have a win.”
This move was possible under the exceptions of Direction from Chief Health Officer 'Home Confinement, Movement and Gathering Direction(No 2)'.
More information is also available from Residential Tenancies Authority guide for navigating requirements and protections for residential tenancies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you need support during these challenging times, call IMPACT on 4153 4233 or Free call 1800 179 233.
Our specialist community support team can assist with:
• Your mental wellbeing;
• Domestic violence support;
• Child protection concerns;
• Support for the elderly;
• Assisting families in need;
• Understanding community notices effecting your personal circumstance; and
• Conversation.
As COVID-19 takes a firm stranglehold on life across Australia, IMPACT Community Services is urging people struggling in the Bundaberg and Burnett regions to reach out if they need a helping hand.
The organisation has put together a specialist team that can help people facing a broad range of problems.
IMPACT specialises in supporting people through everyday life challenges helping them to Live, Grow and Prosper.
Now it has adapted quickly to the changing needs of community members experiencing challenges they’ve never faced before.
Sandra Higgins is leading the team, which includes specialists in:
Ms Higgins said there was many ways IMPACT could help those in despair so they didn’t have to struggle alone.
“Many people don’t have the support network others enjoy,” Ms Higgins said.
“We can help in so many ways. It may be someone feeling anxious and needing another person to talk things through with; it may be someone needing some food or medication dropped to them if they are self-isolating or someone experiencing domestic violence.
“We want them to know we are here and we have people who can provide the support they need at this crucial time.
“There are many problems people will encounter and we’re in a unique position of being able to help and that’s what we will do.
“If we can’t solve a problem we will work with the person to connect them with the people that can.”
Ms Higgins said the decision to set up the team came after a couple from an outlying town in the wider Bundaberg region found themselves in isolation having returned to Australia and not having enough medical or food supplies in their home.
She said the couple reached out to IMPACT and a staff member was quickly assigned to organise the supplies and make the hour-long trip to deliver it to their door.
“They were in tears and so grateful for the assistance,” Ms Higgins said.
If you need support call IMPACT on 4153 4233 or Freecall 1800 179 233 between 8am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday and you will be quickly talking to someone who can help in your time of need.
Social services and community support workers around the country fear the incidence of intimate partner and family violence in homes is likely to increase in these uncertain times of Covid-19.
“Domestic violence is a very complex situation that has the potential to escalate by the introduction of coronavirus restrictions,” said IMPACT Community Services’ Manager of Intensive Family Support, Melissa Clarke.
“People who choose to use violence against their partners and family members often have a pattern of abuse.
“This usually includes coercion, surveillance, and cutting off their partner’s relationships with neighbours, co-workers, friends and family.
“Isolation and social distancing due to the COVID19 pandemic will intensify this kind of coercive control by abusers.
“Importantly, if people had plans in place to remove themselves from a destructive relationship, they may decide to put those plans on hold, which puts them at great risk, and their children at risk.”
Ms Clarke said now, more than ever, the importance of being a concerned and responsive bystander was paramount, meaning the need for your help as an outside observer of violence or abuse is crucial.
“Bystander’s don’t necessarily have to intervene, but if they see something that causes them concern, they should try at least to ask them ‘is everything okay?’ or call the police, especially when vulnerable wo/men and children are being harmed,” she said.
“Sometimes that is all that is needed to help someone and kick-start events that might lead to a positive outcome.
“It’s never too late to offer help.”
If you are a victim of domestic violence there are three things that IMPACT’s Intensive Family Support (IFS) team wants you to know:
“We are here to provide support as well as help to connect family members to current available services to ensure their safety needs and their children’s safety needs are being met,” Ms Clarke said.
The IFS team will be talking to clients via phone or SKYPE.
For family support and information call: 4153 4233
Other key contacts include:
DV Connect: 1800 811 811
Edon Place: 4153 6820
Men’s Line: 1300 78 99 78
Central Queensland Regional Intake Service (business hours): 1300 703 762
Child Safety (after hours): 1800 177 135
Parentline: 1300 30 1300
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue: 1800RESPECT
Headspace: 1800 650 890
As IMPACT Community Services’ Intensive Family Support Manager, Mel Clarke is sometimes a troubled family’s last line of defence before their circumstances spiral out of control.
And for that reason, she is passionate about providing meaningful support to families and is committed to working with them to achieve sustainable change.
“IFS can play a vital role in supporting families to make necessary and fundamental changes for their benefit, if they are ready,” Mel said.
“We are often their last resort before child protection or other agencies get involved.
“We are sometimes their last chance to make a change before things escalate and change for the worse.”
Mel is a valuable member of IMPACT’s family support service and has had the perfect background for it.
She started working in the human services sector 19 years ago and has worked in various government and community-based organisations in Logan, Brisbane and the Wide Bay region.
Her frontline experience extends to residential care, youth crime prevention, community development, working with families, child protection, domestic and family violence and mental health outreach.
Mel has coordinated programs, led community initiatives and has experienced leading teams in multiple settings.
“In IFS we are all about building a relationship so we can empower family members to step up,” she said.
“Many of our clients are self-referrals, but we also get referrals from the Regional Intake Service, from people lodging their concerns about possible child endangerment or mistreatment.
“Many of them are below the threshold for child protection to step in and that’s when we can help.”
Mel’s motivation for excelling at her job is simple: she wants her team to be able to make a difference.
“It’s about people’s future, their lives, their children,” she said. “We want families to be the best they can be. Life’s hard. And we’re asking these people to change their parenting behaviour or how they run their home.
“And sometimes they’re also dealing with domestic violence or mental health issues. And sometimes they’ve been abused by the system, so even trusting someone is hard.
“We have to make sure we’ve built that trust with them, so that those necessary changes can happen.
“We have to be genuine, because we have to have those difficult conversations.”
Mel also understands that a big part of doing her job properly is liaising with a large number of services and maintaining good relationships with all the stakeholders so IFS can work collaboratively to offer support for the right changes to happen, if clients are ready.
She feels she has found the perfect home at IMPACT for her passions.
“I love their values, which align with my own. Steve Beer (General Manager Health and Support) and Tanya O’Shea (Managing Director) support us to be innovative, to push the practice boundaries,” Mel said.
“We have a lot of flexibility, which makes us successful. I feel no need to micromanage my staff; they’re given plenty of space to breathe and do their job.”
Although there are a greater number of women at IMPACT than the national figures, Mel knows that there are more women in the community outreach sector, so we are more likely to have more women at IMPACT.
She said within IMPACT there was a huge diversity of women and that was what the organisation benefitted from.
“Many of these women (and men) have taught themselves from the ground up, and they are very talented,” she said.
“And there are lots of long-term employees who have been here a long time and that is a result of Tanya’s organisational culture, which supports those employees, who just love working here.”
And Mel counts herself among that number, who love what they do, and love where they do it.
This profile is part of our Women of IMPACT series. Each day during Queensland Women’s Week we share the story of one of our amazing female team members whose work helps make such a big difference in the lives of so many in the Bundaberg and Burnett regions.
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.