About us

The Principles that guide us

Domestic, family, and sexual violence is prevalent, pervasive and a serious human rights violation.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know best what their communities need and want, and we are committed to listening deeply to these needs and embedding reconciliation in practice.
Everyone has the right to live without fear from violence.
The use of violence is a choice and people need to be held responsible and accountable for their choices.
We operate from an intersectional feminist framework, acknowledging that domestic and family violence is gender-based violence, predominantly perpetrated by men against women and children.
It is critical that we continue to learn from and include diverse voices of survivors and culturally diverse communities when seeking to prevent violence.
- We acknowledge and respect the abilities, strengths, goals and needs of people living with disability.
- We acknowledge and are responsive to the unique needs and challenges experienced by the LGBTQ+ community.
- We acknowledge the value of including the voice of culturally and linguistically diverse populations in our work.
- We understand and are adaptable to meet different needs and challenges experienced by people living in regional, rural and remote areas.
- We acknowledge the different priorities and concerns for different age groups, including young people and elders.
We provide inclusive services that are evidence-based and trauma informed.
We are committed to working collaboratively as part of a broader system.

Our Values

Integrity
We are trustworthy and act with honesty, always holding ourselves to a high level of ethical standards.

Compassion
We treat those we support and each other with patience, kindness, empathy and care.

Accountability
We lead by example, are transparent and solution focused and take ownership for our decisions and actions.

Respect
We treat all people with dignity, equity and value each other’s contribution.

Empowerment
We support and inspire all people to have a voice and be able to make choices to enable them to grow in strength, confidence and knowledge. We support all people to voice their needs and provide access to options, enabling self-determination.

Our Vision
All lives are free from violence and abuse.

Our Purpose
Collaboratively shaping choices and pathways for a life free from violence and abuse.

Our Services and Programs

DVConnect provides the Queensland-wide domestic and family violence helplines, Womensline and Mensline, supporting families to live lives free from violence and facilitating access to safety.

DVConnect also provides the state-wide Sexual Assault Helpline for anyone who has been impacted by sexual abuse, including friends and family of survivors of assault, whether recent or historic.

In addition, DVConnect provides VictimConnect, a new program supporting people impacted by violent crime in Queensland.

DVConnect works in partnership with the RSPCA Queensland to provide safe accommodation for pets accompanying individuals escaping domestic, family and sexual violence. DVConnect also operates Bella’s Sanctuary, a medium-term transitional accommodation residence for women and children after leaving shelter.

Our expert training team provide tailored training options to business, organisations, government departments and services to help people, recognise and respond to domestic and family violence in the workplace. Find out more about our Workplace Training here.

Our Partnerships

We are grateful to all our partners that help us to support more Queenslanders impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence. Without them, we couldn’t do what we do. Some of our partners include Commbank, Australian Retirement Trust, Halcyon, Mirvac, RSPCA Queensland, Maurice Blackburn, Queensland Rail, Fair World Foundation, Barbie Banks, Milton Common and Cheer Up Inc.

Australian Retirement Trust (formerly QSuper) has been a partner of DVConnect since 2016. Australian Retirement Trust have generously provided funding for one full time crisis counsellor every year since 2016. Their volunteer team also give up their time every year to help organise and deliver the Candle Lighting Vigil to remember lives lost. They also do fundraising activities to raise funds for those affected by domestic and family violence.

Halcyon and Mirvac have been partners of DVConnect since 2018 when a collaboration was formed to build a 5 unit, $1.5 million dollar bridging-accommodation facility. Lifestyle community developers Halcyon and listed property group Mirvac, along with over 90 of their suppliers donated their time, labour and materials to build the facility. The facility comprises 2 one-bedroom units, 2 two-bedroom units and 1 three-bedroom unit. Each unit has its own kitchenette, living area and courtyard. The facility also has a communal kitchen and living room, a play area, garage, a dedicated office space for DVConnect support services, as well as an alarm, state-of-the-art security camera surveillance and keypad entry on all doors and gates.

The RSPCA Queensland has been a partner of DVConnect since 2005 through our Pets In Crisis Program. This program ensures beloved pets are accommodated, receive veterinary care and are cared for while their human family members escape domestic and family violence. We know that a barrier to escaping violence is leaving pets behind so this program with the RSPCA Queensland is life saving for humans and their furry friends.

Maurice Blackburn Women’s Network announced their partnership with DVConnect on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2019 to coincide with their 100 years of fighting fair. Maurice Blackburn Women’s Network are committed to working with DVConnect to end domestic, family and sexual violence. The law firm have always been dedicated to social justice and were instrumental in contributing to some of Australia’s most influential legal decisions, including equal pay for women. They provide DVConnect with a variety of professional services pro bono. In addition, the Maurice Blackburn’s Equity Team have donated $10,000 cash. Maurice Blackburn employees also volunteer at DVConnect events and hold fundraising activities for our service.

Queensland Rail has been a partner of DVConnect since 2010. Queensland Rail has generously provided complementary long-haul train travel to DVConnect clients as there are many occasions where it is not safe for a person to stay in the same town or city where they experienced domestic violence.

Community Partners

Queensland Country Women’s Association has been a partner of DVConnect since 2011. Country Women’s Association has generously provided DVConnect with care packs for people escaping domestic and family violence.

Board of Directors

DVConnect is governed by a Board of Directors whose primary purpose is to provide strong governance and strategic framework. This governance guides and supports the Executive Leadership Team in the development and financing of the organisation’s activities.

The Directors also act as a reference point for specific issues that require expertise beyond the core capability of the organisation’s professionals.

As a company limited by guarantee and not-for-profit, the Directors must also comply with the duties and obligations under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (Cth), the Service Agreements and other applicable government policies and guidelines issued by our funding bodies. Our Constitution is available on the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission website. This document governs the relationship between the organisation, the Directors and company secretary, and members.

For previous Directors, please view the Annual Reports.

Fiona Maxwell, ACTING CHAIR

Appointed Director 18 September 2017

Fiona Maxwell’s career has spanned the non-profit, government and university sectors in Australia and the USA. She is currently Executive Director of FareShare, a food relief charity providing 1 million meals a year to Queenslanders in need. Previously she was CEO of Brisbane Powerhouse, and Queensland Manager for Philanthropy Australia, establishing the Brisbane office and supporting philanthropists and non-profits alike to grow the sector. Fiona has extensive experience building strong relationships with stakeholders in various industries including the service industry, internet start-up sector and philanthropic sector.

Fiona holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queensland University of Technology, a Masters from the University of New South Wales and recently completed the Executive Program for Non-profit Leaders at Stanford University.

Linda Dreghorn, COMPANY SECRETARY

Appointed Company Secretary 22 February 2005. Appointed Director 20 July 2010

Linda is currently Company Secretary for Green Cross Australia, and Manager, Business Performance – Governance at Arts Queensland. Previous roles include Company Secretary and Legal Counsel for Major Brisbane Festivals Pty Ltd, General Manager of Brisbane Festival 2006, Secretary and Director of the Secretariat of the Queensland Law Society Inc., Co-ordinator of Due Diligence for SunWater’s acquisition of major water infrastructure and Lecturer in Law at the Queensland University of Technology.

Linda has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland, a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Studies and is a graduate of the ACID Company Directors’ course.

Ben Bjarnesen, DIRECTOR

Appointed Director 19 August 2019

Ben is a passionate educator and campaigner who advocates for improved services for LGBTQ+ victims and survivors of Domestic and Family Violence.

Ben is a Churchill Fellow and has travelled internationally to explore best practice solutions for Police Departments to enhance the way in which they respond to DFV in LGBTQ+ communities. He has since been actively involved in advising government and non-government organisations internationally on a range of initiatives designed to improve service delivery to LGBTQ+ communities.

Ben is a former Police officer with the Queensland Police Service and in 2020 he founded the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation. In 2023 he was appointed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to the Queensland Government Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Council. Ben is an awarded educator and campaigner and has previously been named as a ‘Human Rights Hero’ by the Australian Human Rights Commission and as one of Australia’s Outstanding 50 LGBTI+ Leaders by Deloitte & Google.

Ben holds a Diploma of Leadership & Management, Diploma of Public Safety (Policing), as well as Diploma of Security Risk Management.

Fatima Deen, DIRECTOR

Appointed Director 27 April 2021

Fatima is a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with 20 years’ experience in the insolvency, turnaround and restructuring fields focusing on small to medium enterprises. Fatima holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from the Queensland University of Technology, A Graduate Diploma in legal practice, advanced certifications in Insolvency and Restructuring & Turnaround (Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association and The University of New South Wales).

Carly Jacobitz AHPRA GAICD, ACTING DEPUTY CHAIR

Appointed Director 2022

Carly is a registered psychologist and graduate of the AICD who brings 15 years of operational and executive experience in human services. She is the Executive Director at Life Without Barriers and is a non-executive Director of PeakCare, the child protection peak body in Queensland. Her extensive experience in child protection and disability within government and for-purpose organisations led her to be appointed to the Queensland Government’s Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce. Carly remains strongly committed to vulnerable children, young people, and families and is an advocate for financial agility and innovation within the organisations that serve them.

Professor Patrick O’Leary BSW(Hons) PhD, DIRECTOR

Appointed Director 2022

Patrick is an internationally recognised researcher currently based at Griffith University with significant expertise in domestic violence/gender-based violence (with a focus on perpetrator intervention, integrated, differential, and intersectional responses), child protection, long-term impact of child sexual abuse (especially for men), social work, hope, and socially excluded young people. He is Co-lead of the University’s Disrupting Violence Beacon and Director of Violence Research and Prevention Program (VRPP) which operates the bystander intervention project, MATE. Patrick was a member of the Queensland Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce examining coercive control and women’s experience of the justice system. He was also an Expert Academic Advisor to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Patrick Chairs the Clinical Advisory Committee for SAMSN, supporting male survivors of child sexual abuse.

Special acknowledgement of Auntie Heather Castledine

DVConnect would like to recognise the service of Auntie Heather Castledine, as Board Director for more than 8 years, and then continuing to guide our governance as First Nations Cultural Advisor for 4 years.

Auntie Heather is a proud Kamilaroi-Kooma woman, with an extensive career as an Aboriginal Cultural Consultant, particularly in health, reconciliation and champion for the greater Logan area. She provided a strong guiding hand for DVConnect across many areas of First Nations work and issues, including cultural competency, protocols, and community engagement. Further, Auntie Heather was kind, generous, and incredibly committed to her work with the organisation.

As First Nations women and children are disproportionately impacted by domestic and family violence, our service aims to work alongside, and be guided by First Nations services and community-led organisations to provide a service that is culturally respectful and safe for our clients.

With the strong starting point that Auntie Heather has provided, we look forward to growing our First Nations leadership and voices across the organisation, to make positive change for the whole community.

Our Funding Bodies

Policies

DVConnect Client Charter

Client Service Charter – Easy Read Version

All lives are free from violence and abuse.

What you can expect from DVConnect:

You will be believed.
You will be treated with respect and dignity.
You and your family’s safety is our priority.
Your needs will be responded to in a flexible, empowering and non-judgemental manner.
You can access a service that recognises your individual circumstances and respects your choices.
You have the right to provide feedback or ask questions.
We will be clear about what our service is able to do to meet your needs.
We will treat your personal and confidential information sensitively and responsibly.
We will always act as per our Principles and Values

DVConnect recognises your right to:

Safety

To live without violence or fear of violence.
To have access to an environment free from violence.
To be assisted to recognise and respond to your safety needs

Access and Equity

To receive a service that recognises the impact of colonisation and the unique political and social determinants that continue to impact on First Nations peoples.
To receive an inclusive service that respects your cultural or linguistic background, age, sexuality, gender identity, disability, mental health, economic status, if you have children and/or other affiliation or individual difference.
Access to suitably qualified interpreter.
To have your specific needs recognised and responded to by us.
Access a suitably qualified interpreter.

Empowerment

To receive information that is accurate, timely, relevant and easy to understand.
To be empowered to make informed decisions and be supported to follow through with decisions made.
You can change your mind or withdraw from our service at any time.

Confidentiality

To be informed why and how we collect personal information and your rights.
To have the privacy and confidentiality policy of the service explained to you.
To give informed consent before your information is shared, unless required by law.
To have your records kept secure.

Coordination

To easily access accurate information on other services that may be able to assist you.
To have our service to work professionally with other services to assist you.

Advocacy

To be assisted to advocate for your rights and/or the rights of your children.

Prevention

To have information about the prevention of domestic, family or sexual violence.
To be provided with information about supports to improve victim/survivor safety and supports to stop using violence.

Accountability

To have access to professional, experienced and skilled workers.
To have access to information on any limitations to our service or our obligations to you.
To give constructive feedback on the service received and contribute ideas on the improvement of the service.
To have access to an effectively managed and administered service.
To be able to make a complaint and to have issues responded to in good faith.

Legislative protections

To have a service provided that protects your human rights as per Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).
To have a service that upholds the Charter of Victims’ Rights if you are a victim/survivor of a crime, including domestic, family or sexual violence.

How you can help us to assist you:

Provide us with all requested information about your circumstances
Tell us if you have special needs
Let us know if you need an interpreter
Treat our counsellors with courtesy and respect.

Giving feedback or making a complaint:

We value feedback. If you are not happy with our service or have ideas on how we can improve we would like to hear from you.

To do this you can discuss this with your Counsellor or ask to speak with a Team Leader or Manager. If they are not on duty at the time of your call – they will return your call at the next available opportunity.

You can also email or calling 07 3156 2323. You may also put your feedback or complaint in writing noted Ín Confidence’ to the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 10575 Adelaide Street, Brisbane 4000.

DVConnect takes client feedback and complaints very seriously and will investigate appropriately. From initial contact we will keep you informed of the profess and outcome of any investigation or changes made because of your feedback. Importantly, you will not be disadvantaged in being provided a service through this process.

For further information on the management of your privacy, complaints and feedback, our principles and values and our services please see dvconnect.org or ask for a copy when you next contact our service.

Whistle Blower Policy

For more information on the below policies, please contact us at

Whistleblower Protection

DVConnect Privacy Policy

DVConnect operates within the Information Privacy Act 2009

This privacy policy statement applies to all individuals whose personal information we may collect in the course of providing the Service. This includes the people who contact us because they experience the impacts of sexual assault, domestic or family violence, family and friends affected by violence or abuse, and the frontline workers and professionals who use our resources to support people experiencing violence and abuse.

Callers may remain anonymous if they are not requiring a service beyond counselling, safety planning or referral information.

In instances where a caller to Womensline is requiring an emergency evacuation or crisis accommodation, DVConnect will be required to collect personal information. Without this information DVConnect is unable to facilitate safety planning.

Information collected by DVConnect will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected.

All records and electronic data are protected from unauthorised use.

Client information will not be disclosed or shared without the caller’s consent unless required by law and/or the policies of this organisation.

Reasonable access to information that the caller has provided to DVConnect will be made available to the caller upon receipt of a written request that also includes proof of identity.

Herstory

1980

A Queensland telephone crisis service for women in need of support, advice and assistance as a result of domestic and family violence was established by the Department of Communities Crisis Care program. The telephone number 1800 811 811 has been operational since 1980.

2002

DVConnect commenced operating the Womensline and Mensline.

2003

The Domestic Violence Act Amendment included elder abuse and informal care relationships which broadened the scope of delivery through the funded services of the sector.

2009

DVConnect received funding for the Sexual Assault Helpline.

Annually, DVConnect takes in excess of 100,000 calls across all lines and provides crisis intervention across a number of key services. Womensline receives 1 call for help every 7 minutes (across a 24 hour period). This is in the form of emergency telephone support, evacuation and crisis accommodation placement for families affected by abusive relationships, counselling for men, women and victims of sexual assault, education and support for men, community education and care for pets of families experiencing domestic and family violence.

DVConnect operates under a framework of a gendered analysis of domestic and family violence. A gendered analysis is supported by research, evidence and data, and indicates that domestic and family violence is most often perpetrated by men against women; and that perpetrators of this violence are fully responsible for their actions.