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:
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“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”.
- The provision of an environment where child safety and wellbeing are embedded in all organisational leadership, governance, and culture.
- All DVNQ representatives are skilled, confident, have a strong understanding of, and are supported to meet their responsibilities to safeguard children and deliver services in a manner that respects their rights and dignity.
- All DVNQ representatives demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards clients, in accordance with the Code of Conduct, and ensure that every decision is made in the best interests of the child.
- Appropriate police checks, working with children checks, reference checks, and monitoring are used to identify suitable representatives and provide adequate professional supervision and development for all representatives.
- A commitment to preventing child abuse, identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks as per our Risk Management Policy and Procedure.
- Children and young people accessing the service are treated as clients in their own right, are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them, and are taken seriously.
- Program staff must ensure that all children, young people, and families are informed about program activities, their rights and responsibilities, and have access to a feedback mechanism.
- Incidents of actual or suspected harm to a child or young person are identified, responded to, recorded, escalated, and reported in line with our Incident Management Policy and contractual or legislative responsibilities.
- Any form of child abuse or harm committed by DVNQ representatives constitutes acts of gross misconduct, breaches policy, and can lead to disciplinary action including possible dismissal and criminal proceedings.
- A commitment to providing a safe and accessible environment for all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, and children who identify as LGBTIQ+.
- DVNQ representatives must understand and acknowledge this policy and risk management strategy and adhere to child safeguarding training and requirements relevant to their role.
We are committed to ensuring:
Child Safe Organisation
DVNQ works directly with children, young people, and their primary caregivers to support them in being safe from harm.
We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people, acknowledging and supporting their right to live a life free from harm, abuse, and neglect. DVNQ have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of child abuse.
At DVNQ, we acknowledge and understand our obligations under Articles 1-54 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and recognise that all children and young people have the right to be treated with respect and care and to be safe from all forms of abuse.
DVNQ Child Protection Risk Management Strategy Policy and Procedure complies with the Child Protection Act 1999, Child Protection Regulation 2023, Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020, the QLD Human Rights Act (2019) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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.’ This has led to a reconciliation working group, engagement with First Nations peoples, and the finalisation of our draft Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
