YFS Jimboomba data shows how widespread Domestic and Family violence is in our community

"Domestic violence touches so many people's lives in so many different ways," Mrs Vuzem said.

"We've seen such an escalation in the number of women seeking support from our service."

YFS often works on the front line of DFV, but during DFV Prevention month Mrs Vuzem said the organisation would be working intensely behind the scenes.

"We will be showing support for other regional areas with their candlelight vigils," she said.

"Our main focus is strengthening our relationships with stakeholders and raising awareness through clients that access existing services.

"We will be strategically trying to build awareness within agencies that respond to domestic violence."

While DFV affects people of all genders, Mrs Vuzem said her organisation found the issue affected some more than others.

"Our service sees domestic violence as a gendered issue, and the victim-survivors of domestic violence are predominantly women and children," she said.

Men experiencing domestic violence can contact other, male-oriented services.

YFS data shows the number of people seeking support for DFV has increased sharply since 2019, with 549 women relying on the organisation in 2021 compared to 154 in 2019.

The number of children supported by the organisation has also increased from 49 in 2019 to 103 in 2021.

Of the areas YFS Jimboomba services, Beaudesert was the worst with 136 women from there seeking support from the organisation between 2019-2021.

This was closely followed by Yarrabilba (128 women) and then Jimboomba (61) experiencing DFV over the two years since 2019.

Mrs Vuzem said there were multiple reasons the demand for DFV services had increased.

"Being established in the community for nearly six years means it's become known in the community that this support is available for women and children," she said.

"There's also been an escalation, particularly during COVID lockdowns and the floods where people who are already isolated in communities like Jimboomba and the Scenic Rim have become further isolated and locked down with perpetrators."

As well as an increase in demand, Mrs Vuzem said the severity of DFV cases her organisation responded to had also increased.

"We're seeing an increase in demand, but also the severity of violence," she said.

"Not just physical violence but also really sophisticated coercive control and non-physical tactics of abuse which can control a woman's life.

"Down to what she wears, who she talks to, where she goes. Women are also being monitored with technology. During COVID women were being monitored by where they were checking in on the COVID apps."

This increase in demand had stretched the organisation's resources, but Mrs Vuzem said the organisation would still help as many women as it could without sacrificing the quality of its service.

"We did have some enhancement money during COVID, but that's not permanent money. Our core funding is very small," she said.

"We are now delivering group work with women. Rather than one-on-one counselling we do empowerment groups, where women can connect with others that have had similar experiences.

"What we really need is additional funding to meet the increased demand."

Mrs Vuzem said despite its limited resources, YFS would help any woman who wishes to access its support services.

"We invite women to connect with us any way they feel safe, whether that be email or phone call or walking in here to our office," she said.

As well as YFS, other agencies that support women experiencing DFV include:

Men can contact the DV Mensline on DV Mensline on 1800 600 636.

To report a domestic violence incident, call PoliceLink on 131 444, but if you are in immediate danger always contact Triple Zero (000).