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Burdekin residents experiencing domestic and family violence will now have access to around-the-clock crisis support following the launch of a new dedicated North Queensland service.
The 1800NQSAFE phoneline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing immediate assistance and connecting victim-survivors with local services across the Burdekin, Townsville, Hinchinbrook and Palm Island local government areas.
The service forms part of the new North Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Networked Hub, backed by a $21 million Queensland Government commitment over two years.
The hub will work across key pathways including police, hospitals, housing services and specialised domestic and family violence providers, with the aim of making it easier for people to access appropriate support when they need it.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Amanda Camm said the service would provide greater access to local assistance across the region.
“We said we’d deliver this service in North Queensland and from today victims from Ingham to Ayr will be able to pick up the phone and receive the local help they deserve,” Minister Camm said.
“Staff at UnitingCare, which is operating the 24/7 phoneline, know firsthand the complexity of domestic and family violence and understand that everyone who has the courage to make a phone call to seek help deserves to have that call answered.”
UnitingCare is operating the new phoneline, with staff able to listen to callers, discuss their options, assist with safety planning and connect them with further services.
UnitingCare General Manager, Targeted Support, Family and Disability Services, Joanne Trentin said having assistance available outside traditional business hours was particularly important for people experiencing domestic and family violence.
“Domestic and family violence can escalate at any hour, and when someone is ready to reach out for help, it's critical that support is there,” Ms Trentin said.
“Having support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week means people can reach someone when they need to; someone who can listen, help them understand their options, support safety planning and connect them with the services they need.
“1800NQSAFE is about making that pathway to support simpler and more immediate, so people experiencing domestic and family violence don't have to navigate those moments alone.”
The new service sits alongside other Queensland Government domestic and family violence measures, including Police Protection Directions and the rollout of GPS monitoring that courts can impose on high-risk perpetrators.
Burdekin residents needing support can contact 1800NQSAFE at any time, day or night.
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