OIC supports Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

In May, not only do we celebrate Privacy Awareness Week but we also acknowledge Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month (DFVP Month), which is held annually to continue to raise community awareness in Queensland.

This year’s theme for DFVP Month is All of us, together.

It is an important reminder that sexual, domestic and family violence prevention is everyone’s responsibility, because we can all do something to help achieve a violence-free Queensland.

We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, and be safe, at home and in public.

For those dealing with domestic and family violence, privacy can also be of high concern.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by a privacy breach, especially by a Queensland government agency, you should act quickly to reduce your risk of harm. Find out what to do and what type of action you should take depending on the type of personal information involved.

Another thing to be aware of is information sharing between Queensland government agencies, especially in regards to domestic violence sharing arrangements. The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 creates an information sharing arrangement that allows agencies to share information where a person’s safety may be at risk.

The Act requires agencies to seek consent where safe, possible and practical but allows information to be shared without consent where the agency reasonably believes: a person fears or is experiencing domestic violence; and the information may help another service receiving the information to assess whether there is a serious threat to the person’s life, health or safety because of domestic violence.

If you have further questions about privacy, please contact the OIC Enquiries Service on (07) 3234 7373, 1800 642 753 or via email.

More information is available on the Queensland Government’s website about domestic violence and support options and DFVP Month. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic and family violence – support is available. You can contact DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days) or DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636 (9am-midnight, 7 days).

If there is an immediate danger and you fear for your, or someone else’s, safety, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Police.