A new $1.3 million Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Centre has been established at Central Queensland University (CQU), it was announced Thursday. The centre, in Mackay, will provide research and expertise to the region to meet the training, resource and support needs of family violence prevention organizations and those professionals who work to ease those very difficult domestic situations in our community.

“Everyone here is really excited about it,” said Associate Professor of Sociology Helen Waite, pictured. “It reaffirms our commitment to the region and is a way of further linking Central Queensland University with our neighbours by addressing the problems we’re facing together as a community.” The centre will create 7 new jobs and will commence operations on 1st July. CQU has secured key support from other universities in Queensland and Australia that will be associated with the center. CQU will undertake projects with the community to collect evidence that will allow for feedback into government policy, education programs and the delivery of services. “With this evidence we can then help develop innovative intervention programs to reduce family violence,” said CQU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research, Gary Anido. The Minister for Families Judy Spence said the government had conducted an extensive statewide search for the best organisation that could deliver the best service to the most vulnerable members of the community who experienced domestic and family violence.

"CQU Mackay [understands] the issues involved in the prevention of and responses to domestic and family violence... They have the necessary expertise... It's important that what we do, we do effectively and efficiently because we're talking about saving lives, saving families and creating safe environments for women and children,” said Minister Spence.