On monthly averages DVConnect takes phone calls on from 2,755 Queensland women, 439 men and another 1.100 calls to a separate service line for related service professionals wanting advice, such as police, hospitals and refuge managers.

The fantastic and patient counsellors who answer these calls often have to deal with some quite distressing cases involving women, men, their children and sometimes even their pets.

From the islands around the tip of Cape York, west through Mt Isa, and all down the cost to Brisbane and the Hold Coast, the counsellors go about their work in the most professional manner. Each month they provide valuable advice that helps people avoid and overcome the use of violence. Unfortunately, sometimes people don't call the help line until the situation has escalated quite considerably.

Each month on average from all areas around Queensland and from all levels of society, dvconnect counsellors assist 354 women and 367 children escape from violent and dangerous situations and moves them to safe locations elsewhere in the state and sometimes, if necessary, interstate.

These arrangements more often than not require days of precise yet secretive planning where no traces of contact history, travel arrangements or new locations are left. Resources needed can and do include the use of both chartered and domestic airlines, boats, trains, buses, taxies and private vehicles. On their way to safe locations there is often the requirement for overnight hotel stays until a refuge or other safe location is reached.

In what is a first for Australia in 2005, Credit Union Australia with fantastic generosity gave and continues to provide funds for dvconnect and the RSPCA to also rescue and move pets to safe locations. Often the forgotten victims in these cases until this service was established, pets were left behind to suffer retribution from the perpetrator. Not anymore. dvconnect now can solve that situation as well.

Dvconnect's role also encompasses helping people with strategies for men and women to deal with the build up of anger and how to avoid letting it get out of control.

Dvconnect also unfortunately can't prevent all cases, which sometimes they end up in court proceedings. Dvconnect provides court support for men, helping them through the process and particularly in SE Queensland, attend court and offer face to face support.

Dvconnect is a not-for-profit organisation funded primarily but not totally by the Old Government Department of Community Services. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will be put to use all across dvconnect's services. You can feel secure in the comfort that you have made a valuable contribution to the prevention of domestic and family violence as we fight this unfortunate and at times terrible affliction on society, case by case.