What is Domestic Violence?

In accordance with the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016-2026 and the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), domestic and family violence occurs when one person in an intimate personal, family or informal carer relationship (including include married and defacto spouses; parents of a child; people who are, or were engaged; and people in couple relationships, including same-sex couples) uses violence or abuse to maintain power and control over the other person.

This can include behaviour that is physically, sexually, emotionally, psychologically or economically abusive, threatening, coercive or aimed at controlling or dominating another person through fear. The violent or abusive behaviour can take many forms including physical, emotional and sexual assault through to financial control, isolation from family and friends, threats of harm and constant monitoring of whereabouts or stalking.

Support services

There are several support services available to Griffith staff and their families.

Leave

An employee may experience domestic and family violence in their personal life that may affect their attendance or capacity to perform their work. As per the Enterprise Agreements 2023-2025, an employee may be granted up to 10 days leave each calendar year in accordance with legislation to attend to matters including, but not limited to:

• Medical appointments and legal proceedings

• Protection of children and dependents

• Other necessary actions associated with the violence

• Please note that an employee may be required to produce evidence that family or domestic violence has occurred, such as, a medical certificate, a document issued by the police service and/or court.

• If it is not practical for the staff member to give prior notice of absence, the staff member must notify the University by telephone of such absence at the first opportunity on the first day of absence.

• In circumstances where domestic and family violence is of such a nature and/or frequency the employee can apply to the Director, HR or delegate, to access any unused Family or Other Special Circumstances Leave and then any accumulated sick leave to attend to necessary related matters. Further to the above, the employee can apply to take leave without pay, recreation leave or long service.

Domestic Violence Connect

Domestic Violence Connect is a state run initiative that provides confidential services for people experiencing domestic and family violence. Their website provides a range of resources and information on these services.

Where you can seek help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can also seek support outside of Griffith through the following services:

• Lifeline

• 1800Respect

• Queensland Police Service

• Access the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service

Additional Support

Here you can access additional documents and resources offered in and outside of Griffith:

Prevention and training

• Queensland Government has a web page for their bystander campaign which contains useful information on 'How to do something' and 'When to do something' when you recognise domestic violence.

Documents and resources

• Domestic and Family Violence Support Procedure outlines the obligations and options available for staff and students witnessing or experiencing violence.

• The Academic Staff Enterprise Agreement and Professional and Support Staff Enterprise Agreement include leave provisions for those who have experienced domestic or family violence.

• Resources from the Queensland Government's community support webpage includes information on protection orders.