Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers, community members and partner agencies operating in the Domestic and Family Violence space have been recognised for their efforts this week at the first QPS Domestic and Family Violence Prevention (DFVP) Awards.
Domestic and Family Violence is a complex issue, one which requires specialised and tailored responses that adopt a victim-centric, trauma-informed approach.
The awards, held this past Tuesday, November 28, aims to identify and acknowledge the many achievements of members of the Service, personnel of other government and community organisations, and members of the community who have assisted the QPS in the prevention of domestic and family violence in Queensland.
Among those award winners was Senior Constable Rebecca Anderson, who received the Domestic and Family Violence Liaison Officer award for her work in successfully implementing the Queensland Blue Light's ELEVATE program.
The ELEVATE (Everyone Lift to End Violence and Target Education) program, developed by Queensland Blue Light, addresses the specific needs of young people who are experiencing or are affected by domestic and family violence on the Gold Coast within the safety of a school environment.
The program's success has resulted in the Queensland Police Service and Department of Education endorsement for state-wide rollout.
Senior Constable Anderson spoke of the honour of being recognised at the awards.
"Success in domestic and family violence is difficult to define, and these awards acknowledge and celebrate the success of so many hardworking and passionate individuals and teams who work tirelessly to protect and take action to respond and address domestic and family violence in our community," Senior Constable Anderson said.
"Educating the younger generation on this topic is crucial to preventing and disrupting domestic and family violence, and this program is another proactive step towards reducing harm and supporting generational change.
The Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Command training team and specialist course, in partnership with domestic and family violence specialists, were awarded the Commissioner's Outstanding Award, which was selected from all the nominations and was awarded at Commissioner Carroll's discretion. This team was acknowledged for their dedication and training to co-develop, co-design and co-deliver a specialist course in partnership with 11 separate external experts in the field.
The collaborative effort in designing and delivering the course has ultimately increased organisational capability to respond to domestic and family violence and improve police responses to deliver protective outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and hold perpetrators to account.
See the full list of award winners and highly commended from the 2023 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Awards below:
Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator:
Winner – Sergeant Neil Gardner, South Brisbane District Domestic, Family Violence & Vulnerable Persons Unit.
Domestic and Family Violence Liaison Officer
Winner – Senior Constable Rebecca Anderson, Coomera, Gold Coast District
Highly Commended – Senior Constable Pauline Guise, Logan District DFV & VPU
Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Practitioner
Winner – Senior Constable Samantha James, Far North District DFV & VPU
Highly Commended – Senior Constable Keith Morris, Moreton District Domestic & Family Violence & Vulnerable Persons Unit
Police Service Award
Winner – Mount Morgan Station
Highly Commended – Senior Sergeant OIC Jacinta Pannowitz, Loganholme, Logan District
Highly Commended – Sergeant Michael Read, Prosecution Services, Logan District
Partnership Award
Winner – Thursday Island Yarning Circle, Thursday Island Station
Highly Commended – NBD & Broncos, DFV Awareness Campaign
Community Service Awards
Winner – Centre Against Domestic Abuse
Highly Commended – Mercy Community Services
Commissioner's Outstanding Award
Winner – DFVVPC Training Team & Specialist Course DFV Specialists
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
- DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
- DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.
