Sexual violence prevention framework

On 15 October 2019, the Queensland Government released Prevent. Support. Believe. Queensland's framework to address sexual violence (PDF) (or DOCX) (the framework). The framework sets out the government's vision for a Queensland where everyone lives free of the fear, threat or experience of sexual violence.

It brings together the progress government has made so far in addressing this issue and identifies priority areas for action that will guide the government’s future responses to sexual violence.

The framework provides a strong, cohesive and evidence-informed approach to preventing and responding to all forms of sexual violence, including (but not limited to):

• sexual assault and rape
• sexual harassment
• technology-facilitated violence
• youth sexual violence
• child sexual abuse.

The framework was designed to include prevention and responses to all people who experience sexual violence, including women, men, children and young people. It also recognises that sexual violence is a gendered issue, and that the majority of victims are women and girls.

Development of the framework was supported by:

• extensive statewide consultation
• expert advice provided by the Sexual Violence Prevention Roundtable
• research and analysis of the evidence and relevant developments in other jurisdictions.

The framework also takes into account related Queensland Government commitments, such as government's responses to the final report of the Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse Steering Committee and the reports of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (PDF).

To support implementation of the framework, a comprehensive whole-of-government action plan to address sexual violence was released in October 2021. The Prevent. Support. Believe. Queensland's framework to address sexual violence—Action plan 2021–22 (PDF) (or DOCX) outlines new and continuing sexual violence prevention and response actions across the Queensland Government.