A team consisting of police officers and a support worker will operate within the Logan Central and Crestmead police divisions to support those seeking safety from violent and controlling relationships.
The Domestic Violence Engagement Team (DVET) has been created in partnership with the Centre for Women and Co., a group which supports women and their families across Logan and the Redlands.
CEO of the Centre for Women & Co. Stacey Ross said the partnership, which is funded by the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation, would improve outcomes for all those involved.
"We work so closely with police on a daily basis and so the ability to improve the outcome for victim-survivors is the core purpose," she said.
"Sharing this specialist knowledge and supporting police response is a really important part of this project as well.
"Centre for Women & Co is extremely grateful for Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation for the financial support to continue this critical work."
Co-founder of the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation Lloyd Clarke welcomed the new program, and acknowledged the efforts made by police officers to combat Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
"We very warmly welcome the co-responder program," Mr Clarke said.
"We know how hard police work to combat domestic violence and coercive control, and we strongly believe they shouldn't have to do this alone.
"They deserve all the support we can give them, and the Foundation is proud to be associated with this initiative."
Mr Clarke also said he hoped the program would be successful, as it was just one of the many steps needed to be taken at all levels of society to eradicate the problem of DFV.
"We refer to our Foundation as "Small Steps 4 Hannah" because we firmly believe that numerous small steps are the way to combat a big problem," he said.
"Naturally we'd like to see this expanded if it proves successful, but you need to start somewhere.
"The State Government has made a significant contribution to combating coercive control and domestic violence, including through its response to the Women's Safety Taskforce. But it takes everybody working together to make a stronger, safer society - government, charities and every single Queenslander.
"We all need to do our part to stand up and speak out against violence and coercive control. We can't think of this as a problem only for government. It's a problem for our whole society, and we all need to work to fix it."
Chief Superintendent Mel Adams said DVET would allow police to engage with the issue of DFV beyond responding "at the point of crisis".
"This partnership brings support services to the doors of those who have been subjected to violence or control from their partners," she said.
"Support workers and police visits and actively engage with victim-survivors on safety planning to ensure they have a strong network around them, including with their neighbours, family and friends. This allows us to provide prevention-focused support at the most appropriate time.
"Police are most often called to these incidents at the point of crisis but this model provides an opportunity for education and support outside of this and aims to increase the safety for victims and prevent future escalations."
All cases of Domestic and Family Violence should be reported to the police, and reports can be made through the online portal. Support and counselling is also available from the following agencies:
- DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
- DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732