Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, is encouraging local community groups to put in a bid for funding to support local activities they plan to stage during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month 1 May to 31 May 2010.

Carolyn Male MP said applications for the one-off grants, out of a $65,000 funding pool, would close early next month.

“If any groups or local organisations are planning activities to promote Domestic and Family Violence Month next year, I encourage them to get their bids in,” Carolyn Male MP said.

Over the past five years, there have been up to 60 domestic violence-related deaths in Queensland.

“Domestic and family violence in Indigenous communities is by far the worst. Indigenous women are 35 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than any other Australian women,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“We’ve simply got to turn those statistics around. The Bligh Government is spending more than $170 million this financial year to tackle domestic violence in Queensland.”

“This is on top of the millions being spent to house women and children escaping domestic violence. We’re giving them someone to turn to, and somewhere to go in troubled times.”

Previous projects that received grants include community marches, Remembrance Day Ceremonies, educational forums, creative art workshops and sporting events.

“I’d love to see our local community get right behind Domestic and Family Violence Month. It’s also an opportunity to show victims that they’re not alone and that help is available,” Carolyn Male MP said.

Applications close at 4pm, 2 November 2009.

For an information pack, including an application form, please phone my office on 3205 6779 or email pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au.