FIRST ‘HEAR HER VOICE’ PROGRESS REPORT SAYS STEADY PROGRESS

Is Being Made

The first independent progress report of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce reforms has been released.

THE report considers the progress and adequacy of the Queensland Government’s response to the Taskforce’s first report—Hear her Voice – Report One – Addressing coercive control and domestic and family violence in Queensland.

It also summarises Queensland Government agencies’ approach to implementation, as well as challenges and opportunities, outlining activities carried out by the Office of the Independent Implementation Supervisor (OIIS) since the Interim Independent Implementation Supervisor assumed the role on 28 November 2022, as well as an indicative OIIS work plan for early 2023.

Attorney-General and Minster for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the progress report prepared by Ms Linda Apelt, the Interim Independent Implementation Supervisor, showed considerable work had been achieved to date.

According to the OIIS report, government agencies are making steady progress towards honouring the voices of everyone who shared their stories or contributed to the Hear Her Voice and A Call to Change reports.

In response to Report One of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce recommendations, the Queensland Government has: Conducted a Commission of Inquiry into police responses to domestic and family violence, Introduced the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combatting Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, laying the legislative foundation for the introduction of a new criminal offence of coercive control, Uplifted Domestic Violence High-Risk Teams to support growing demand and began work to establish three new teams in Townsville, Brisbane South and Rockhampton, Launched the new Prep to Year 12 ‘Respect’ program to offer resources to help guide teachers and students, so they benefit from the Respectful Relationships Education Program, Revised the Common Risk and Safety Framework to support a more consistent response to Queenslanders experiencing domestic and family violence and allow for appropriate support across the state.

An Independent Implementation Supervisor responsible for overseeing implementation was a recommendation of the first and second Taskforce reports and the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service responses to domestic and family violence – A Call to change Ms Apelt said agencies do not have an easy task ahead but are demonstrating a strong and clear commitment to implementing the Government response.

“The breadth, scale, and complexity of the program of reform to be undertaken is not to be underestimated,” Ms Apelt said.

“However, I acknowledge the extensive work already underway by agencies to deliver on the Government’s commitments.

“My initial view is that they are making steady progress towards honouring the voices of everyone who told their story or contributed to the Hear her Voice and A Call to Change reports.”

The independent implementation supervisor’s report is available at www.qld.gov.au/ OIIS

For More Information www.qld.gov.au/womenstaskforceresponse