Second Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–2032

In this submission, QAMH highlights the important role community-based mental health services can play alongside specialist domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) services in identifying violence early and supporting people to recover and rebuild their lives. Recovery often continues long after the immediate crisis has passed, yet long-term psychosocial support and coordination between services are not consistently recognised within current service pathways.

QAMH calls on the Australian Government to:

• embed community-based mental health services as a recognised partner within the broader DFSV service system
• strengthen referral pathways, shared care and collaboration between community-based mental health and specialist DFSV services
• build workforce capability to support earlier identification of violence and safe, trauma-informed responses
• provide dedicated funding for long-term psychosocial support and the integration activities that enable services to work together effectively

Ending violence is the goal of the National Plan. We believe ensuring people have the support they need to recover from its lasting impacts should be the enduring legacy of the Second Action Plan.

Read the Full Submission Here>