Eighteen months ago, Lifeline Darling Downs received funding from the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women to deliver a range of support services for people experiencing domestic and family violence and sexual assault including disrupting family violence programs and women’s health and wellbeing services.

The Safe Connections program delivers services in Roma and the far west of Queensland where the staff are passionate about making positive change and believe education is the key to wiping out domestic and family violence within the community. The team delivers educational sessions to parents outlining the impacts of trauma on their children and how it has a follow-on effect in their adult lives.

The impacts of witnessing domestic violence within their homes can manifest into a variety of behavioural issues for children. The Safe Connections program can provide counselling services for them, giving them a safe space to talk about their home lives and how it is affecting them.

Domestic and family violence does not discriminate – it can be occurring in the homes of your family members, friends or work colleagues. The Safe Connections program is able to assist anyone who is at risk of experiencing violence within their homes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it extremely difficult for people to access assistance as they are likely to be isolating with a perpetrator who is monitoring their every move. Safe Connections staff are committed to reaching and assisting every person possible by providing phone, messenger, skype calls and messaging services.

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and you can play your part in raising awareness by wearing purple. Stand up and speak out!

If you or someone you know needs assistance and it is not safe to contact us directly please call or text a friend or family member and ask them to contact us on your behalf. 

If someone you know is at risk – make the call. Contact the Police – 000, Safe Connections 1800 951 052 or DV Connect 1800 811 811.