Domestic and Family Violence Awareness in the Gympie Region

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Following the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention briefing to Gympie Regional Councillors on 14 May 2025, Gympie Regional Council is pleased to share the actions being taken to strengthen awareness and prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) within our community. 

 

Council’s Commitment 

Prompted by the briefing and Councillors’ longstanding commitment to DFV prevention, Council adopted a dedicated action in the 2025–2026 Operational Plan: 

ACTION 9 - Advocate to State and Federal Government for increased funding for crisis accommodation and transitional housing in relation to domestic and family violence. Explore how Council can assist in raising awareness about the prevention of domestic and family violence in our community and support a community that is inclusive, connected and safe.

Council Resolutions 

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 10 December 2025, officers presented a report recommending key actions. Councillors unanimously supported the following resolutions: 

Resolution 1 - Council Pledge

Council endorsed the Gympie Regional Council Pledge Against Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence: 

  • Gympie Regional Council says NO to Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Violence.
  • Gympie Regional Council says YES to relationships and communities that are safe, respectful and free from violence.
  • Council commits to working within our organisation and with government, community and business sectors to raise awareness and support prevention efforts. Council will use its information networks and resources to support violence prevention campaigns and programs.

 

Resolution 2 - Awareness and Prevention Actions

Council resolved to:

a) Endorse Phase 1–3 actions outlined in the report for implementation during this term of Council, subject to available resources.
b) Request officers to report on DFV and sexual violence prevention activities as part of standard corporate reporting.

 


What Happens Next

Council's Community Development Team is now delivering Phase 1 actions, which will be rolled out in early 2026. This includes:

  • Attendance at DFV and sexual violence prevention stakeholder meetings and events
  • Collation of DFV prevention resources for distribution to all Council staff (approx. 500 employees)
  • Sharing information and resources via Council's website and social media channels

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The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 defines domestic and family violence as behaviour that is:

Physically or sexually abusive

Punching, hitting, strangulation, or threatening to punch or hit, forcing a person to participate in sexual acts, damaging someone’s property or threatening to damage property, including hurting or threatening to hurt pets.

 

Emotionally or psychologically abusive

Stalking, repeated text messaging, making insulting comments, calling someone names, blackmailing or extorting, preventing contact with family and/or friends, controlling someone’s appearance, putting them down, threatening to expose their sexual orientation.

 

Threatening or coercive

Threatening behaviour: saying things or acting in a way to make someone feel afraid, threatening to commit suicide or self-harm, stalking.

Coercive behaviour: forcing, intimidating or manipulating a person to do things they don’t want to do, such as sign a contract (e.g. for a loan) or a legal document giving another person power over their affairs (e.g. power of attorney). 

 

Financially abusive

Denying, withholding, controlling or misusing money or property, or threatening to do so.


Support Services

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

If you or someone you know is experiencing DFV, or you are seeking support to stop using violence, please reach out to the services below:

Local Services

If you are in immediate danger, call 000

  • Community Action Inc – Gympie Regional DFV Service: 5413 8088 

  • Uniting Care Gympie – Men Choosing Change: 5480 3400

  • Community Action Women’s Information: 5482 7973 

  • Laurel Place – Sexual Assault Counselling: 5482 7911 

  • Gympie & District Women’s Health Service: 5483 6588 

  • REFOCUS Gympie: 54442 3992 

  • Manngoor Dja Gympie: 5483 6511 

  • CentaCare Sunshine Coast DFV Service: 5430 9300   

  • Caboolture Regional Domestic Violence Service: 5498 9533 

  • Fraser Coast Regional Domestic Family Violence Service: 3324 3838 

  • Brisbane Domestic Violence Advocacy Service: 3217 2544 

  • Working Against Violence Support Service: 3808 5566 

Statewide and National Services

If you are in immediate danger, call 000

  • DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811 (24/7) 

  • DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636 (9am–midnight, 7 days) 

  • 1800 RESPECT National Sexual Assault & D&FV: 1800 737 732 

  • Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 737 732 (7:30am–11:30pm, 7 days) 

  • Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (24/7) 

  • 13Yarn: 13 92 76 (First Nations support) 

  • Men’s Line Australia: 1300 789 978 

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) 

  • Legal Aid: 1300 651 188 

  • Women’s Legal Service: 1800 677 278 

  • Translating & Interpreting Service: 131 450

  • LGBTQIA+ Q Life Helpline: 1800 184 527

 

Additional Information and Resources

For information about Domestic & Family Violence in your language: 

For information helpful to women with an Intellectual or Learning Disability Experiencing Domestic & Family Violence: 

For information for people identifying as LGBTIQ Experiencing Domestic & Family Violence: 

For information about the Queensland Government’s Response to Domestic & Family Violence: 

For information about the National Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and their Children:

For information about online safety and protecting yourself from Technology Facilitated Abuse:

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