Domestic violence Qld: DVConnect calls go unanswered

An interim report laying bare the chronic problems plaguing the women’s, men’s and sexual assault helpline has been handed to the state government.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

Phone calls to DVConnect are increasingly going unanswered, despite a recent doubling of its funding and more than $100m provided since 2015.

An interim report laying bare the chronic problems plaguing the women’s, men’s and sexual assault helpline has been handed to the state government ahead of an expected major overhaul.

It is expected to detail cases of phone calls going unanswered, its 24/7 helpline going understaffed and online webchat services being unavailable.

Late last year half the calls to DVConnect’s women’s line went unanswered.

It is despite $114.4m in taxpayer funding being provided to the service since 2014-15 – including the former Labor government’s doubling of funding from $12.3m in 2022 to $24.6m in 2023.

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said the interim report hit her desk on April 3, but it will not be released publicly because the recommendations of the final report would determine future government decisions and reform.

“The number of victims of family and domestic violence skyrocketed over the past 10 years

and whatever funding was allocated to services was not making an impact,” she said.

“DVConnect is a critical service operating 24/7.

“When a person in crisis, or fear for their life and the lives of their children calls for help, the call should be answered – this report examines the reasons why this routinely did not happen over the past 10 years.”

This financial year $26.1m was allocated to the service.

DVConnect board chair Fiona Maxwell said the safety of victim-survivors was the priority.

“Our Womensline service is available 24/7 to offer immediate support and information to victim-survivors,” she said.

“Demand for domestic and family violence crisis support has increased and we are focused on ensuring effective partnerships with the Queensland Government and other agencies to meet the needs of those impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.

“As the review is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment.”

Originally published as Domestic violence Qld: DVConnect calls go unanswered