Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety

Today marks the end of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – the global campaign encouraging action to end gender-based violence. Today is also International Human Rights Day. As 16 Days of Activism comes to an end, it’s an important reminder that everyone has a role to play in ending violence against women and supporting those who are impacted by it. What is domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV)? • Domestic and family violence (DFV) is when one person in an intimate or romantic relationship or former relationship, or family or informal carer relationship uses violence or abuse to maintain power and control over the other person. • Coercive control is when someone uses a pattern of abusive behaviours over time that hurt, humiliate, isolate, frighten, or threaten another person to control or dominate them. • Any sexual activity without consent is sexual violence – no one has the right to make anyone do anything they don’t want to do. • Domestic, family and sexual violence is about power and control. It might make you feel unsafe, scared or threatened. It is never okay. To learn more about domestic, family and sexual violence and how you can access and provide help, visit www.qld.gov.au/needtoknow. #endDFSV #16DaysOfActivism Image description: Graphic recognising 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence featuring Queensland Government crest, with bold text over a background of layered blue and purple tones.

Want to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people with disability at your sports venue? If so, download the Cérge app. Belgravia Leisure’s National Disability and Diversity Manager, Dr Jeff Walkley is thrilled the Cérge app is helping to break down communication barriers for people living with disability including at Nambour Aquatic Centre and Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex. “Cérge makes it easy to produce accessible communication materials including visual stories and sensory guides while ensuring our teams are confident welcoming, supporting and inclusive to all,” shares Dr Walkley. People with disability, their carers, parents and support workers can make specific service, accessibility, sensory and communication requests and book a tour of the venue. “We’ve seen countless positive stories from app users on how Cérge has made visiting their leisure centre easier. Personalising their visit thanks to the app means the world to them.” The power of Cérge to transform the accessibility of sports for people with disabilities was recognised earlier in 2024 when the company received a $100,000 grant from Advance Queensland through the Private Sector Pathways Program Inclusive Sport Technology Challenge Find out more about how your venue can be more accessible at https://lnkd.in/gXK9YfU5 [Image description: A smiling woman in a yellow bathing cap and black swimsuit sits on the edge of a pool. Her wheelchair sits beside her.]

Welcome to Human Rights Week 2024! (1 December – 10 December) This year marks five years of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019 and reflects on the importance of the Act and what it means for Queenslanders. The aim of human rights legislation is the protection of those vulnerable to violations of their fundamental human rights. You can get involved in Human Rights Week by completing an online training module, organising an event or downloading resources available for your workplace: https://lnkd.in/efgAnWKn Image description: A blue and white banner featuring a stylized bird emblem. The text reads: ‘Human Rights Week 1-10 December 2024 5 years of Queensland's Human Rights Act www.qhrc.qld.gov.au’.

Today is International Volunteer Day! We want to recognise more than 6,200 foster and kinship carer families who volunteer their hearts and homes to children in need. Whether stepping forward to become a kinship carer for a relative in care or making the decision to become a foster carer, it is a huge commitment everyday Queenslanders make. Queenslanders are continuing to step up to become foster and kinship carers – over the last year more than 1,700 families stepped up to be carers for the first time! Foster and kinship carers have extraordinary hearts, and make an enormous difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people – thank you for your invaluable contribution. 💜 Interested in volunteering opportunities? 💛 We need more foster carers, like you. Whether it's short breaks care, short-term care or long-term care, find out more about fostering at qld.gov.au/fostercare 💛 If you can't foster but want to help children in care, The Pyjama Foundation is looking for volunteer Pyjama Angels to be a mentor, friend and reliable adult in the life of a child in care. The commitment is just 1 hour per week. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/ez-PnYS Image description A large white heart on a green background with text that reads: 'Thank you for caring - 6,200+ foster and kinship carer families' in honour of International Volunteer Day.

While both men and women experience domestic, family and sexual violence, research tells us this violence is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and children. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that encourages action to end gender-based violence. The 16 Days of Activism concludes on 10 December — Human Rights Day. To end gender-based violence we need to recognise that everyone has a role to play in changing the harmful attitudes, behaviours and gender norms that contribute to domestic, family and sexual violence. What can you do to improve the safety of women and children? ▪️ To improve future outcomes, we all need to challenge the harmful attitudes, behaviours and gender norms that contribute to domestic, family and sexual violence. ▪️ Actively take steps to seek out information, learn the signs of domestic, family and sexual violence, and make sure you are aware of support options. ▪️ Speak up if you notice disrespect of women happening around you. This might look like disparaging comments positioned as jokes or banter amongst your friends or workplace. ▪️ If you think someone might be experiencing gendered violence – reach out and offer support. You can make a difference. To learn more about domestic, family and sexual violence and how you can access and provide help, visit www.qld.gov.au/needtoknow. #endDFSV #16DaysOfActivism Image description Graphic recognising 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence featuring Queensland Government crest, with bold text over a background of layered blue and purple tones.

“If you’re a young person with disability, don’t try and cover up your disability. You’re an amazing person. You navigate life in a different way to everybody else. You’re resilient. You overcome barriers every day. Just be who you are and achieve what you want to achieve.” This important advice comes from Wiradjuri Man and artist, Uncle Paul Constable-Calcott, who was recently named as an International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) Ambassador for his work supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living with disability to connect to community and culture. Congratulations Uncle Paul! International Day of People with Disability is celebrated annually on 3 December. This year’s theme is: Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. This theme is about people with disability as leaders who make the world a fairer place for everyone. Find out more at: https://lnkd.in/gUtiqbSV

No two days are the same when you’re a Child Safety Officer. The work can be fast moving and complex as we walk alongside children and families to keep them safe, and to help build the futures they deserve. So it was a nice change of pace for our Mermaid Beach Child Safety Service Centre team when they visited the Family Fun Day and Expo at beautiful Burleigh Heads during Queensland Child Protection Week. The team enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other service providers, engage with visitors, and catch up with a few familiar faces as they enjoyed the jumping castle, pop up playground and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance performances. Community events like this one enable our staff to connect with children, young people and families who may already be in contact with our department, and to also have a chat to those who may be looking for some extra support. An important part of our work is supporting families to care for and protect their children at home. Spending time in the community allows us to provide resources and contacts to those who may need some extra help to manage challenges and nurture children to develop in healthy and positive ways. Thanks to the team and our child safety staff from across Queensland for the vital work they do to support families from all walks of life ❤️ For more information about Child Safety Officer roles, visit www.qld.gov.au/csocareers Image description Image 1: Five women in front of the stand with colourful balloons and banners under a tent at a sunny outdoor park by the beach. Image 2: Four women standing behind a stall decorated with colorful balloons and banners at an outdoor event, featuring informational materials and promotional items on the table. Image 3: A display at the Child Protection Week event decorated with colorful banners and flyers, displaying informational materials and various promotional items on a table, set in a sunny outdoor park by the beach.

From emails to events, meetings to social media – there are things we can all to do ensure everyone understands and is understood. This Disability Action Week, 24 November – 1 December, check out our tips to make different types of communication more accessible. For more information about accessible communication, tips on how to start the conversation, as well as access to training and other resources visit www.qld.gov.au/daw.

Communication disability can look different for everyone. It is sometimes called an invisible disability, because it is not always obvious to others when a person experiences barriers in communication. People with complex communication disability may communicate differently or use technology to communicate. Here are our five top tips to communicate with people with complex communication disability: 1. Use visual aids, such as communication boards. If you don’t have access to one, use your phone to google an image to help show what you mean. 2. Consider using social stories – a support tool containing pictures and suggested words. Parents and carers use this to explain situations and what might happen. 3. Use key word signs. Learn some key word signs such as: hello, please, thank you, play, bye. 4. Use high-tech devices – assistive technology is available on your phone or ipad. 5. Use a combination of techniques and strategies. You can combine the strategies above or explore on your own. Try it and find out what works for you. For more information about accessible communication, tips on how to start the conversation, as well as access to training and other resources visit www.qld.gov.au/daw.

Do you know how to ask for information that is accessible to you? All Queenslanders have a right to ask for accessible information. It can feel hard to ask for information you need. Remember: - it is ok to ask for what you need – you are the expert in your communication needs - you have a right to ask for what you need to understand and be understood - take your time – it’s an important conversation, don’t feel rushed - consider bringing examples so you can show people what you need. If you need help, you can contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit https://lnkd.in/gSFgNZKH. For more tips on how to start the conversation, as well as access to training and other resources visit www.qld.gov.au/daw. [Image description: Smiling young woman with blonde hair and headphones sits at a café talking to two other women.]