Established in 1994, DVNQ is a local charity operating in North Queensland. We provide services in Townsville, Ingham, Ayr, Charters Towers, Richmond, Palm Island, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Dajarra, and Camooweal.
We offer free and confidential services for people experiencing domestic and family violence. The rights and dignity of victim-survivors and culturally respectful engagement are of paramount importance and underpin our service delivery. DVNQ is a strong feminist advocacy service, campaigning to end men's use of domestic and family violence.
We are committed to working with local communities to change the culture of domestic violence and abuse by providing leadership, raising awareness, and contributing to stopping this significant issue in our community. Our work is done through a range of partnerships, collaborative arrangements, and cooperative participation.
While women and children are the predominant victims of domestic violence, we also acknowledge that some men can be victims of domestic and family violence.
Who we are
SHORT BACKGROUND
Domestic and family
violence will not end unless
we relentlessly advocate
for change.
Principle #6
Collaboration and integration with others provide the best service for our clients.
Principle #5
Continuous improvement is our responsibility so that we remain the specialist domestic and family violence service in the regions.
Principle #4
Practice Principles
Decisions and interactions are grounded in ethics and integrity with transparent respectful communication.
Principle #3
The voice of First Nations Peoples is heard and respected throughout our organisation.
Principle #2
The safety and the rights of women and children is at the heart of everything we do.
Principle #1
Continuing to build on our 30 years of experience, professionalism, and practice wisdom as the go to agency for women experiencing domestic violence. Our trained, and skilful staff are agile and continually refining and improving our service response in support of our clients and community.
We are inquisitive, imaginative, and revolutionary as we lead change in domestic violence in NQ.
INNOVATION
Nurturing honest and respectful relationships with other stakeholders in supporting the safety of women and children. Working closely with organisations and the community to raise awareness, educate and promote the part everyone can play in ending domestic violence.
Everything we do is with the women’s voice front of mind.
COLLABORATION
Modelling a deep sense of social justice and recognising that Domestic Violence is a violation of human rights. Our decisions and interactions are grounded in ethics with transparent respectful communication. We ensure that our approach is holistic, client centred, and survival led by continually learning from survivors through evidence-based practice that underpins everything we do.
WE DO THIS BY:
Our Values
Standing as the specialist sector partner in the region fiercely advocating for the elimination of domestic violence.
We are strong advocates for structural and generational change, for balance, justice and equity, and we are recognised as a leader in our community driving a whole society change to gendered violence from a feminist framework.
ADVOCACY
Walking alongside survivors of domestic violence through deep listening, being present, prioritising their safety, and allowing women and children to progress at their own pace. It is our priority to help women feel welcome, safe and be supported by us without judgment.
We support women to recognise, exercise and advocate for themselves and their children. We respect wherever they are on their journey and acknowledge that they are experts in their own story and have power in her own autonomy.
COMPASSION
INTEGRITY
WE DO THIS BY:
WE DO THIS BY:
WE DO THIS BY:
WE DO THIS BY:
WE DO THIS BY:
“They listened to me, I went in feeling so overwhelmed but walked out feeling a weight off my shoulders”."
“The team just listened and actually cared. They made me feel welcomed and respected as a victim of violence”
“I feel safer physically and mentally, not just for me but my kids too. They have been a great support”.
“I have nothing but positive comments, I think as a service and their individual staff, all seem really passionate about what they do..... They are a hugely beneficial service to our community”.
Child Safe Organisation
What This Means in Practice
Child safety is embedded in our leadership, governance and culture. All staff undergo appropriate screening, training and supervision to safeguard children and uphold their rights and dignity.
Children and young people who access our services are treated as clients in their own right. They are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. We provide safe physical and online environments and maintain clear processes for responding to concerns.
Any form of child abuse or harm committed by DVNQ representatives constitutes gross misconduct and may result in dismissal and criminal proceedings.
Learn More
For further information, please request a copy of our Child and Youth Safety and Wellbeing Policy and our Cultural Safety Policy – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Families by contacting our team.
Child Safe Organisation
DVNQ is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We acknowledge and support their right to live a life free from harm, abuse and neglect and maintain a zero tolerance approach to any form of child abuse.
Our Framework
DVNQ embeds the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations across all aspects of our work. We comply with the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld), the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld), the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld), the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Cultural Safety
We recognise that if an organisation is not culturally safe, it is not child safe. We are committed to providing an environment that ensures the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children.
Culturally Safe Organisation
DVNQ works respectfully in partnership with First Nations peoples in all aspects of service delivery.
Cultural competency is an essential part of ensuring we continue to be a respectful and safe organisation in support of First Nations peoples.
As an organisation, we understand the connection between colonisation and intergenerational trauma. We support the Uluru Statement from the Heart, acknowledge that sovereignty has not been ceded, and recognise the distinct cultural rights of First Nations peoples included in Section 28 of the Human Rights Act 2019.
We are strongly committed to hearing the voices of First Nations peoples through our Board representation, staff, and partner collaboration in everything we do. One of our core principles is that ‘the voice of First Nations peoples is heard and respected throughout our organisation.’
We have adopted the term Conciliation for the work we do after internal and external discussions. Our active Conciliation working Group develops and fosters initiatives and ideas with wider staffing engagement. The group is supported by the CEO and Board Conciliation Champion.
Victims' Rights
These rights are outlined in law and are called the Victims Charter of Rights. Most Government and some Government funded agencies must uphold your rights.
What are your rights?
- Be treated with courtesy, compassion, respect and dignity.
- Have your privacy protected
- Be kept informed about police investigations including, if the person was/was not charged and why
- Be given information about what will happen if you need to give evidence
- Be kept informed about court processes including dates of hearings, if the person applies and is granted bail and the outcome
- Make a victim impact statement and be kept informed about sentencing
- Be kept informed about parole applications and release dates through the victims register
- Make a complaint if you feel like your rights have not been upheld
Help is available
If you have any questions about your rights or how to make a complaint - DVNQ can help. Please speak with a worker for further support.
For more information click here.
