By Juliano Oliveira
Queensland Government is applying an extra $2.7 million in sexual assault services during COVID-19.
Community centres will utilise the funding to allocate additional staff to support abuse survivors.
“October is Sexual Violence Awareness Month but for the survivors of sexual violence, the scars of abuse can last a lifetime,” Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said.
“We know unemployment and the financial uncertainty of COVID-19 have created a perfect storm for abuse with specialist community-based services reporting a spike in women seeking help as a result of sexual violence.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 1 in 3 Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Women are more than twice as likely as men to have experienced fear or anxiety due to brutality from a former partner.
“This extra funding enables sexual violence services to employ more specialist staff to reduce pressure on existing workers, deliver counselling and support, and connect survivors of assault with the right legal and health services,” Di Farmer said.
The State Government will lit up landmarks around Brisbane in support of Sexual Violence Awareness Month including Parliament House, Victoria Bridge and Story Bridge and the Reddacliff Place sculptures.
Get help and advice
| DVConnect Womensline 1800 811 811 24 hours, 7 days a week | DVConnect Mensline 1800 600 636 9am to 12 midnight, 7 days a week | Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120 7.30am to 11.30pm, 7 days a week |
| Kids Help Line 1800 55 180024 hours, 7 days a week | Lifeline 13 11 1424 hour Crisis Counselling Line | Elder Abuse Helpline 1300 651 192 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |