Queensland Domestic Violence Service Network (QDVSN) is a network of 19 Queensland regional domestic violence services and the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, the Immigrant Women’s Support Service and DVConnect.

QDVSN works collaboratively and strategically to:

  • Advance understanding of, and to eliminate gender, structural, political, economic, legal and cultural inequalities and inequities, which result in gender based violence in all its forms;
  • Provide peer support, information sharing and debriefing within our membership;
  • Be a change agent by providing education, a reference point and a collective voice to Government, non-government and member services on State and National issues relating to domestic and family violence.

QDVSN Principles

  • QDVSN values and operates from a feminist analysis/understanding of domestic violence and family violence;
  • Violence against women and their children is wrong.  It is a fundamental breach of human rights and is not inevitable.  It can be stopped;
  • To acknowledge that safety and security for women and their children experiencing or escaping domestic violence and/or family violence is paramount;
  • QDVSN supports the actions and outcomes of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032;
  • QDVSN recognises and acknowledges that each member has particular expertise, experience and responsibility in responding to the needs of individuals and families;
  • QDVSN is committed to developing, implementing and maintaining coordinated, collaborative member responses that focus on access, equity, inclusiveness, co-operation and mutual respect; and promote an understanding and supportive environment which embraces the principles of self-determination.

QDVSN is one of several domestic and family violence agency networks operating in Queensland and in many cases its members, or their agencies, are also involved in other networks.  These include the Domestic Violence Court Assistance Network, various regional women’s refuge networks, perpetrator program networks and children’s worker networks.  In addition to providing peer support and information exchange, the QDVSN has increasingly been involved in lobbying for enhancements for the domestic violence prevention sector, and has been instrumental in providing community-based co-ordination of an annual state-wide candle-lighting ceremony to commemorate those who have died as a result of domestic violence.  Members are optimistic about the potential for QDVSN’s state-wide co-ordination role to expand.

The QDVSN is Co-convened by Sandra Keogh, Cairns Domestic Violence Resource Centre and Beck O’Connor, DVConnect. The secretariat is provided by Verity Bennett, North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Centre. Convenor and secretary roles are elected by the QDVSN membership on a bi-annual basis.