Donations for DV charities needed as calls for support jump 40 per cent

Charities supporting victims of domestic and family violence are urgently seeking donations, as calls for help jump 40 per cent.

The number of Queensland victims of domestic and family violence reaching out for support has spiked by 40 per cent in recent weeks, prompting a call from charities for more donations to keep up the surging demand.

The plea comes a day after the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Responses to Domestic and Family Violence was extended to allow Judge Deborah Richards more time to examine submissions.

Minister for Justice, Women, and Prevention of Family Violence and Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said frontline police across Queensland were grappling with the increase in DV call-outs and the Commission of Inquiry would help identify how police could improve their responses.

“The Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce did find that in some parts of Queensland, domestic and family violence call-outs are 60 per cent of the work for QPS,” she said.

“The taskforce very clearly said that there are hardworking police right across the state, but we do know that when some women come forward to some police stations, they’re not getting the response that they need.

“Not only are we hearing about how we can foster a culture in police where no matter where a woman is and where she reaches out she gets the help she needs, but also about making sure that our hardworking frontline police get the resources they need to be able to respond to how many women come forward.”

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman MP at the launch of the GIVIT Domestic and Family Violence Appeal. Picture: Jerad Williams

Charity representatives on Friday joined forces with Ms Fentiman in an appeal for more donations to victims fleeing abusive relationships.

She said the 40 per cent spike was likely due to greater awareness of domestic and family violence and, in particular, coercive control.

“As a community, we are talking more about domestic and family violence and more and more women are coming forward,” she said.

“We know the dangers of coercive control and more women are understanding that just because they’re not experiencing physical violence, they are in a violent relationship.”

She said that wild weather earlier this year, the pandemic and cost of living pressures had also contributed to an increase in domestic and family violence offending more broadly.

GIVIT, a not-for-profit organisation working to facilitate the distribution of donated goods and services across some 150 partner charities to people experiencing and fleeing domestic and family violence, are appealing for more donations.

“There’s always a struggle to keep up with demand, as you can imagine the needs are constantly changing,” GIVIT Chief Executive Sarah Tennant said.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman, GIVIT Queensland manager Christina Spehr, 4 Voices Founder Jo Westh and GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant at the GIVIT Domestic and Family Violence Appeal launch. Picture: Jerad Williams

She flagged the need for donations like toys, clothes and vouchers, but also goods like second hand phones and laptops to help those fleeing abusive situations start a new life.

“So many women leave a violent relationship with only the clothes they are wearing and kids often have to leave precious toys behind; it’s so important that Queenslanders get around this very important appeal,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We rally around each other during floods and times of disaster, well this is a crisis too.”

GIVIT has already facilitated the donation of some 20,000 essential items and services this year alone, but are appealing for more.

Their website lists more than 63,000 goods and services needed by victims around the country. To donate, visit https://www.givit.org.au/whats-needed