The demand for domestic and sexual violence services in Queensland has reached unprecedented levels, with frontline organizations stating that they are struggling to meet the needs of victim-survivors due to limited resources. Despite a recent pledge of an additional $36 million by the Queensland government for 2024/25, advocates argue that this amount falls well short of the necessary funding, estimating that an extra $300 million is required to effectively address the crisis.
Frontline service providers like the Domestic Violence Action Centre are essential referral pathways for individuals seeking help and support in domestic and sexual violence situations, yet they are facing significant challenges in accommodating the increasing number of referrals. The lack of sufficient funding has forced many services to resort to waitlisting victim-survivors who are in urgent need of counseling support, highlighting the critical gaps in the current system.
According to Angela Lynch from the Queensland Sexual Assault Network (QSAN), the existing funding, though welcomed, is described as temporary and inadequate to implement long-term solutions that would address the ongoing demand for services. Victim-survivors of sexual violence in Queensland are experiencing lengthy waiting periods of six to 12 months to receive counseling support, with young girls as young as 12 ending up on waitlists for essential services, emphasizing the urgency for increased and sustained funding. QSAN is urging the Queensland government to commit an additional $30 million annually to support operational services on the frontline, stressing the importance of adequately resourcing these critical services to provide timely and effective support to those in need.