Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) remains highly committed to ensuring our workplace is safe, inclusive and respectful.

In early 2019, our motivation to build capability to support our colleagues affected by domestic and family violence resulted in Board endorsement of the Bystander Awareness program for all staff and as at July 2020 over 1200 staff have participated from across Queensland.

The DNRME Bystander Awareness program is based on the Griffith University MATE program and is delivered by an accredited team of internal facilitators. This allows staff to participate in training facilitated by their peers. To date, this approach has not been replicated by any other state government agency.

This leadership-focused primary prevention program is designed to empower participants to think more critically about issues such as violence and bullying and harassment as well as the underlying factors which contribute to disrespectful, problematic and violent behaviour such as gender inequality.

A key component of the program is understanding the power and influence of the bystander, as well as equipping participants with the skills to take action and do something when faced with challenging situations. The program also aims to build capability to understand what domestic and family violence (DFV) is; understand it is a workplace issue; how to recognise signs of DFV; how to respond and refer those impacted by DFV to available support options.

Through this work, we continue to demonstrate what is possible with a small team and limited resources - this being our commitment to changing our workplace and changing our world.

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