Advocates in Queensland are optimistic following the state government’s announcement of its first peak body dedicated to sexual violence, a move they hope will encourage more victim-survivors to come forward over time. The initiative, unveiled on Thursday, positions Queensland as the second state in Australia to establish such a service, following Victoria’s lead.
The newly formed peak body aims to represent the collective interests of the sexual violence support sector. This development comes at a critical time, as data reveals that reported sexual assaults in Queensland reached a 32-year high in 2024, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
Addressing a Growing Crisis
The establishment of the peak body was among the key recommendations from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, an independent group set up by the former Labor government in 2021. The taskforce released two significant reports in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
Angela Lynch, executive officer of the Queensland Sexual Assault Network (QSAN), described the announcement as a “landmark decision.” She emphasized the increasing prevalence of sexual violence in the community, noting that “the reality is victim-survivors already are coming forward. That trajectory is not going to stop.”
Lynch also pointed out specific areas of concern, such as technology abuse and the predatory behavior of high-harm individuals, stressing the need for robust support services to respond effectively.
Role and Responsibilities
According to Amanda Camm, Minister for Domestic and Family Violence, the peak body will serve as an advocate for victim-survivors and work towards developing a skilled sexual violence support workforce across Queensland. The body will facilitate government consultations with the support sector on critical issues like resourcing and legislation.
Camm highlighted the importance of creating an accessible channel for support services and advocates to present their ideas to the government. Angela Lynch echoed this sentiment, stating that the initiative would ensure the “collective” voices of sector workers and victim-survivors are heard.
“It provides a pathway to bring the voices of survivors into the hallways of power to influence legislation, policy, and service provision,” Lynch said.
Expanding Support Networks
In addition to the sexual violence peak body, a similar organization for domestic and family violence will be “fast-tracked,” according to Camm. The original plan, set by the former Labor government, involved the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) establishing a peak body, but it was not expected to be operational until 2029. The Queensland Domestic Violence Service Network (QDVSN) will now spearhead this effort.
The government also announced a $1.6 million funding boost for the Remote Indigenous Women’s Shelter Network and the First Nation’s Primary Prevention Group. Wynetta Dewis, CEO of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service, noted that this funding would help address the disproportionately high rates of domestic, family, and sexual violence in First Nations communities.
Chief Executive Officer Wynetta Dewis stated, “This funding is crucial in addressing the high rates of violence in our communities.”
Additionally, a study into new Police Protection Directions (PPDs) and concerns about potential misidentification will be conducted, responding to advocacy groups’ concerns.
Looking Ahead
The Queensland government has committed to having both peak bodies operational by January 2026. This initiative represents a significant step towards addressing sexual violence and providing comprehensive support to victim-survivors across the state.
As these new bodies take shape, stakeholders and advocates remain hopeful that they will lead to more effective policies and a stronger support system for those affected by sexual and domestic violence.
