Domestic violence 'is everyone's business'

"Domestic and family violence is not a private matter. It's everyone's business as a neighbour, a friend or a family member."

Gabrielle Borgaard, an Ipswich domestic and family violence support worker, sees just how important friends, neighbours and family are in supporting victims.

Gabrielle was speaking in the lead-up to Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May.

"Women are much more likely to seek initial support or advice from friends or family," she says, drawing on her experience working with the Ipswich Women's Centre Against Domestic Violence.

"This is why it's critically important how a friend or relative responds. If they are supportive and non-judgemental, the person is much more likely to approach external support services."

Gabrielle says friends or relatives nonetheless need to be careful not to be too forceful in persuading the victim to act in ways that they were not ready to, or that may be unsafe for them.

"It's important for the woman to be in control; support is more likely to succeed if this is the case," she says.

"If others step in and take over it will perpetuate the lack of control they feel in their life."

This is the second year that the Department of Communities has run the Act as 1 campaign, which aims to inform and equip family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community members on what they can do to support victims of domestic and family violence.

Act as 1's message is everyone can do something to stop domestic and family violence.

Research shows that eight out of 10 of people agree that they would intervene in some way to support people affected by a domestic violence situation, but they would like more information on appropriate responses.

This year, the Ipswich Women’s Centre against Domestic Violence received a Queensland Government grant of more than $3000 to support their art gallery events and workshops that will run for 14 days during the month.

To find out more about how you can help go to actas1 website, become a fan on Facebook, or call Dvconnect on 1800 811 811.