Sexual violence was the topic of discussion at an information prevention forum held in Mount Isa on Tuesday April 9.
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The event was held by Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Di Farmer, who selected six locations to have the forums across Queensland.
Local service providers and residents attended the information forum that highlighted areas of concern in Mount Isa and remote North West Queensland.
Ms Farmer said a number of consistent concerns were mentioned in the forum.
"One of the biggest concerns was the high staff turn over in prevention services in Mount Isa," she said.
"Services highlighted that it was difficult to get trained staff to work in Mount Isa and then even more difficult getting them to stay and help service remote communities.
"Other concerns included early intervention, community attitude towards sexual assault and understanding where and how to access services."
Ms Farmer said the forum was to develop a framework for the government to address sexual violence.
"We have been traveling around the state this month conducting these forums and on top of this we have an online survey to hear from people about the gaps, the real areas of need, what is working and what isn't," she said.
"At the end of the process I have put together a round table of experts from right across Queensland working in legal services, health counselling and housing to find outcomes for these reoccurring issues.
"Sexual violence is a massive issue with one in five women and one in 20 men over the age of 15 have been victims of sexual assault.
"When you say those figures to people, they are very shocked and that highlights the fact that we have to have some strong action against it."
Ms Farmer said in 2019, $150,000 was being distributed to 32 community organisations across Queensland to hold 33 awareness raising events, projects and activities.
"Each of these events send a clear message that violence of this kind will not be tolerated and that by working together, people can make a real difference," she said.
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