- Second domestic and family violence (DFV) co-response trial to start in Brisbane
- Almost $23 million has been allocated to develop, trial and evaluate the program
- 7-day per week service will assist victim-survivors and persons using violence
Brisbane South will be the location for the second mobile co-response trial between the Queensland Police Service and government-funded DFV specialist services to jointly attend DFV calls for service.
The co-response model is a crisis and early intervention program for Queensland Police Service (QPS) calls for service to DFV incidents that will enable DFV specialist services to respond in real time alongside police.
The first co-response trial started in Cairns in July 2024 in partnership by Relationships Australia Queensland and QPS.
Both trials are part of a broader $22.9 million pilot program that will run until 30 September 2026.
The unique partnership allows DFV specialist practitioners to immediately support a victim-survivor, including trauma informed counselling and risk assessment and safety planning, while working with the person using violence to recognise their behaviour and connect them with services and supports to change their behaviour.
The co-responder model, involving a joint response by QPS and DFV specialist services, was recommended by the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce in its first report, Hear her voice.
The trial's function is to:
- enhance victim-survivor safety by better identifying and responding to patterns of behaviour over time that constitute DFV
- engage early with victim-survivors to connect them with services and supports to improve their safety and the safety of their children
- engage early with the person using violence to increase accountability and promote behaviour change to stop the violence
- reduce the misidentification of the person most in need of protection
- provide specialist advice and assistance and strengthen knowledge sharing between the QPS and DFV specialist services.
An tender process to find a service provider to deliver the South Brisbane has now opened.
As stated by the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D'Ath:
"Following the launch of the first trial in Cairns, I am proud to announce the location of the second trial at Brisbane South.
"This trial is an integral part of the Miles Government's plan eliminate domestic and family violence.
"This model not only assists the victim-survivor in real time, but also immediately addresses the needs of the person using violence including counselling and rehabilitation."
As stated by the Minister for Police and Community Safety, Mark Ryan:
"I know that police strongly support the trial, as it ensures the earliest possible vital supports are provided to individuals caught up in a Domestic and Family Violence situation.
"Domestic and Family Violence is a terrible blight on our society, and anything we can do to ameliorate the devastating impacts is truly worthwhile."
As stated by Police Commissioner, Steve Gollschewski:
"Following the promising results of the co-response model in Cairns, I look forward to seeing the trial expand to South Brisbane.
"We know that partnering police with specialist DFV workers enhances our response to DFV incidents.
"This model aims to increase the safety of victims while providing education and support."
