As Founder and CEO of Protea Place Women's Support Centre, I am deeply...

As Founder and CEO of Protea Place Women's Support Centre, I am deeply concerned about the impact ongoing public commentary about domestic and family violence funding is having on victim-survivors.
The messages we share matter. Over the past week, women have told us they are now afraid to seek help because they believe services won't be there for them. That is a devastating consequence of the current public narrative.
Healthy discussion about policy and funding is important, but domestic and family violence must never become a political weapon. Using inaccurate or misleading claims about service funding in the wake of the tragic deaths of women is reprehensible. It creates fear, undermines confidence in frontline services and risks deterring women and children from seeking support when they need it most.
There is no doubt more must be done. The scale of domestic and family violence requires sustained investment, evidence-based strategies and relentless collaboration. Change does not happen overnight, but every day across Queensland, frontline workers are helping women and children find safety, recover from trauma and rebuild their lives. These stories are rarely shared, but they are happening every single day.
We honour those whose lives have been stolen by domestic and family violence and stand with the families forever changed by their loss. We owe it to them to remain united, focused and committed to solutions—not political point-scoring. Preventing and responding to domestic and family violence must be a bipartisan priority.
Above all, if you are experiencing violence, please don't let the public debate stop you from reaching out. Support is available. We are here to listen, believe you and help you find safety.
Amanda Dalton 🩷