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Who We Are
The Queensland Homicide Victims' Support Group (QHVSG) was founded on the 7th February 1995 in Northern Queensland, when five families united to address the desperate lack of assistance and support for all families who have experienced the loss of a loved one through murder.
During this time, there were no specific government services or community groups available to neither assist families nor provide them with specific support and information. This lack of support at the time resulted in families being left isolated and alone during an extremely intense and incredibly painful period of their lives. Further to this was a yearning from families to meet with others who too had lost a loved one in such a brutal manner. To learn from and share their experiences with each other, rather than speaking to Counsellors who are often perceived as having limited personal or other experience within this specialized area. The Queensland Homicide Victims' Support Group was formed to bridge this gap, offering families for the first time, support, strength and encouragement to continue on the difficult journey ahead.
After consultation with victims and the community, a strong contribution was put forward for the development and endorsement of the Criminal Offence Victims Act (COVA) 1995. This became the first piece of legislation in Queensland to recognize family members of the deceased as also being victims within a homicide. This was a significant milestone for families whom previously had not been ascribed the right to respect and dignity in legislation.
In 1997, the QHVSG received its first round of government funding, allowing the organization to make significant inroads into its three current areas of service delivery: support; education; and reform. It was during this time that QHVSG perhaps best demonstrated its reputation for a strong voice for victims of homicide, when Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson accepted the role of Patron for the QHVSG, a position he still holds today. Our partnership with all levels of the Queensland Police Service continues to this day, enabling QHVSG to work collaboratively with QPS to ensure victims of homicide are responded to in a timely, professional, yet compassionate manner state-wide.
The QHVSG remains focused upon these three areas, however the size and scope of QHVSG's services have broadened significantly. Through the development of professional relationships with key stakeholders, the QHVSG has made substantial achievements including:
- Expansion of Support Group Meeting locations
- Annual Memorial Services are now being offered in three locations
- Ability to provide court support in most Supreme Court locations, and in many Magistrate/District Court locations
- Increased ability to provide emergency financial relief through QHVSG's partnership with the Mongrel Club of Australia (setup specifically for this reason)
- Increased ability to assist with the writing of Victim Impact Statements, Non-Party Statements, and Parole Applications
- Guest Presenting at Queensland Police Services' Phase III Detective Training has increased to six occasions per year, with additional participation now taking place within Townsville as well as Brisbane
- Partnership with the Department of Child Safety has almost 150 potential Child Safety Officers visiting QHVSG's "Solace House" head office each year for training
- Partnership with the Department of Public Prosecutions has allowed QHVSG to access the trial transcripts for families at no cost, saving each family the hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars usually required to access these transcripts
- Collaboration with local print, television and radio media recently resulted in an education evening promoting the dignity and respect of victims of homicide. One consequence of this evening was the development of a 'preferred media list' for families to engage when needed
- Partnerships with local Universities and TAFE's have allowed QHVSG to guest present at lectures for Law, Psychology and Welfare students
- Collaboration with the Queensland Police Homicide Squad has led to the development and implementation of the "Fax-Back" system
- Successfully organized a large event attracting local and state-wide media, promoting the rights and consideration of homicide victims. Entitled Homicide Awareness Day, this day has now become an annual event, which involves a variety of other support and victim-related agencies.
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