Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research

02/11/2026

🌹 Happy 10th birthday to the Red Rose Foundation! 🌹
QCDFVR’s Liane and Liz had the pleasure of attending the Red Rose Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Lunch. The afternoon marked a decade of hope, support and working together to Change the Ending for survivors of domestic and family violence.

🌹 The celebration was also a chance to honour Red Rose founder Betty Taylor, who is stepping down from her official duties. Betty’s vision, courage and tireless advocacy have changed how we understand and respond to domestic and family violence, and her legacy will be felt for many years to come. She will be sorely missed, and we thank her for everything she has given to this work.

🌹 We’re proud to call Red Rose a partner, and grateful for their collaboration, expertise and unwavering commitment to keeping people safe. Congratulations, Red Rose, on a decade of making a difference. We’re proud to stand with you as you continue to Change the Ending. ❤️
Learn more about their work: www.redrosefoundation.com.au

30/10/2026

New research is drawing attention to concerning increases in violence against children in Australia. Data examined over the decade from 2014 to 2024 found substantial increases in reported sexual assault among girls and boys aged 10–17, as well as a 57% increase in DFV-related assault among boys aged 0–9.
Research like this provides an important evidence base for understanding the experiences of children and young people and strengthening prevention and responses to violence.
🔗 Read the latest research here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2855265

29/10/2026

Consultation is underway and the Sexual Violence Review Board wants to hear from you.

Whether you are a victim-survivor, supporter, advocate, professional, researcher or interested community member, there are two ways to contribute: complete the survey or make a submission.

Have your say today: www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au/about/sexual-violence-review-board/digital-evidence-review

28/10/2026

💜 Recovery from Sexual Violence 💜

Sexual violence can affect a person’s physical, mental and emotional health. Everyone reacts differently, and no response is right or wrong. Common reactions include anxiety, shame, flashbacks, changes in sleep and appetite, and withdrawing from others.

Recovery takes time. Some things that may help:
🌿 Rest, regular meals and gentle movement
🗣️ Talking with people you trust, or keeping a journal
🧘 Breathing techniques to help manage triggers
🤝 Leaning on a support network of family, friends or a counsellor

If you’ve experienced sexual violence, you are not to blame. 💜

Support is available:
📞 DVConnect Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120
📞 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

27/10/2026

Last week QCDFVR's Associate Lecturer Liz Boardman was in Rockhampton delivering Recognise & respond appropriately to DFV training with CatholicCare Central Queensland. 💙 Thank you to all who attended and participated in this important training. If you would like to know more about the training QCDFVR can offer your organisation please get in touch: [email protected]

26/10/2026

💜 Supporting someone after sexual violence 💜

When someone you care about shares that they’ve experienced sexual violence, how you respond matters. Listen, believe them, and let them lead. Ask what they need, give them time and space, and remember that the only person to blame is the person who caused the harm.

Supporting someone can affect you too, so make sure you look after yourself as well.

If it has just happened, call Triple Zero (000).

For support:
📞 DVConnect Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120
📞 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

22/10/2026

📣 SAVE THE DATE 📣
The Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum is coming to Brisbane on 18–19 May 2027!

Join us as we come together to strengthen connections, share knowledge and champion culturally informed approaches to preventing family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

📅
📍 Brisbane, Queensland

Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date.
https://noviolence.org.au/qifvp-forum/

21/10/2026

**Issues & Insights | When Housing Affordability Becomes a Barrier to Safety**

What if leaving violence simply isn’t affordable?

In this *Issues & Insights* paper, Dr Michael D’Rosario explores how Australia’s housing affordability crisis can trap women and children in unsafe situations, reinforcing financial dependence and creating significant barriers to safety, recovery and independence.

Access to safe, affordable and secure housing must be recognised as a critical part of domestic and family violence prevention.

Read it here:https://noviolence.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/When-housing-affordability-becomes-a-barrier-to-safety.pdf

20/10/2026

Congratulations to Brisbane South PHN and all the partners behind Supporting the Primary Health Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence on receiving a 2026 Australian Good Design Award for Social Impact! 🎉
Helping general practices recognise, respond to and refer people experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence is vital work. It’s wonderful to see this co-designed program recognised, and now reaching communities across 12 PHNs nationally.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the development and delivery of Supporting the Primary Health Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence, a Brisbane South PHN-commissioned program that has been recognised with a 2026 Australian Good Design Award for Social Impact.

Originally co-designed in southern Brisbane and now operating across 12 Primary Health Networks nationally, the program supports general practices to recognise, respond to and refer people experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence, while building stronger connections with specialist support services.

The project’s design partners are Good Design Australia, The Australian Centre for Social Innovation, The Centre For Women & Co., Micah Projects, YFS, and Integrate Place.

This recognition highlights the value of designing services around people's needs, bringing together primary care and specialist services to provide more connected pathways to support. It also reflects the power of collaboration, shared learning and continuous improvement in addressing complex community challenges.

Thank you to the victim-survivors, general practice teams, specialist services and design partners whose insights, experience and ongoing commitment have shaped and strengthened this work.

Read more about the award and the program's impact: https://bsphn.org.au/news/brisbane-south-phn-commissioned-program-wins-2026-australian-good-design-award-for-social-impact

19/10/2026

🎤 It was great to have our team represented at the 2026 SPEAQ Forum!
QCDFVR’s Dr Liane McDermott and Elizabeth Boardman presented alongside Shane Worral and Dr Sarah Lantz from the Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC): “Engaging adolescent boys in DFV intervention: Insights from the Break the Cycle trial”

The session shared what the team has learned through the Break the Cycle trial about how to meaningfully engage adolescent boys who have experienced or used domestic and family violence, and why early intervention matters for breaking intergenerational cycles of violence.

Thank you to SPEAQ for the opportunity, to our partners at DVAC for a valuable collaboration, and to everyone who came along and joined the conversation. 💙