Women's Psychological Health

18/03/2026

Very excited to be attending ANZAED's summer conference focusing on Binge Eating Disorder learning the latest information on medical assisted weight loss for those with BED. 🤓

08/03/2026

Belated post...
Happy International Women's Day to all the remarkable women who face challenges often unrecognised unspoken and unappreciated in their everyday day lives whether this be grief, infertility, chronic pain, trauma, abuse, self worth or body image issues and the burdeon of parenting and the household load. I see you, I hear you, I acknowledge you. I understand. You are an inspiration! 🌸💐💕

17/02/2026

I couldn't agree more. I too feel like the word "domestic" waters down the seriousness of the violence. I also feel like the phrase "coercive control" distracts from the seriousness of the abuse!

Dr Vincent Hurley's 2024 appearance on Q+A was watched by millions. He was angry.

Thirty-two women had been violently killed in the first 119 days of the year.

"For God's sake, how long do we have to listen to politicians like you … high-horsing about?"

Behind Dr Hurley's emotional address were nearly 30 years as a police officer on the frontline of family and domestic violence.

When he started in the 1980s, on his beat, responding to gender-based violence felt endless.

"It would've been 80 per cent of police work," he told ABC Conversations.

"It was just domestic after domestic, after domestic."

Attending these incidents, Dr Hurley was shot at, punched to the ground and had a young girl die in his arms.

"What a waste of a human life," he said.

"All the hundreds of thousands of victims throughout Australia … their true potential in society will never be known.

"Because they are coerced and controlled by some sh****ad male."

Now an academic, Dr Hurley teaches criminology at Macquarie University. He also speaks at high schools about healthy relationships and the rates of violence against women and teenage girls.

He's noticed a worrying view among some school students.

"They see domestic violence as a bit of a private crime … a private argument between Mum and Dad or Mum and a partner," Dr Hurley said.

Dr Hurley believes the term domestic violence softens the crime and sends the wrong message to young people.

“It doesn't bring home the brutality or the maleness in the crime,” he said.

"If I had my way, I would remove the word 'domestic' from that phrase, 'domestic violence' … and just have straight out 'violence against women and girls' — because that's exactly what it is.

"It doesn't matter if it occurs at home. It doesn't matter if it occurs in the shopping centre, down the street or at the footy ground. It's just straight-out violence."

✍️ Story by Fiona Purcell

🎧 Stream Vince Hurley's ABC Conversations interview on the ABC listen app.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

1800 RESPECT national helpline: 1800 737 732
Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491rie

16/02/2026

The system doesn't work! Child support system needs an overhaul. Too many mothers and children living in financial hardship with an abusive ex partner who can manipulate the system easily! 😞

20/01/2026

This is very important new legislation that has the potential to keep woman safer quicker and without the legal battle of needing to go to court. Please share and make woman in Queensland know this is now possible

📣New Domestic and family violence (DFV) laws have started in Queensland.

The Queensland Parliament passed new legislation to introduce Police Protection Directions (PPDs) in Queensland to support the safety of victim-survivors and hold people using violence to account.

As of 1 January 2026, PPDs are available across Queensland as an additional tool for frontline police responding to DFV.

PPDs are a 12-month direction that can be immediately issued by police in circumstances where police reasonably believe it is appropriate for the matter not to proceed to a court.

You can find more information at www.qld.gov.au/PoliceProtectionDirections

[Image description: Graphic Text on white background "New DFV laws in Queensland", text in blue ground "Find out about PPDs", Delivering for Queensland with Queensland Government crest logo]

19/01/2026

Entering or returning to work can be a very anxious time for woman particularly if you have lost your confidence due to being out of the workforce for a significant amount of time , or due to the impact of domestic violence. Sometimes you don't even know where to start! This course may be a helpful stepping stone in getting you ready for your next employment opportunity. Good luck!

Secure and flexible employment can be a crucial step toward achieving independence and safety.

We’re sharing information about FW - Future Women ’s Jobs Academy, a free, year-long online program designed to support women who are returning to work, changing careers or building new skills.

The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women and the Queensland Government.

The program offers:

✅Flexible, self-paced online learning

✅Expert coaching and practical career support

✅Guidance from employers and industry professionals

Whether you’re rebuilding after experiencing domestic and family violence, juggling caring responsibilities or starting fresh, this program aims to meet women where they are.

Applications close Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Learn more and apply here: https://pulse.ly/te7molurwt

19/01/2026

It is a sad day in Cairns with another woman's life taken due to domestic violence. 😔

01/01/2026

2026 starts off with some good news! I believe this is an important step in the protection of women and breaking down barriers of much needed safety. Let's hope it's enforced!

New domestic violence laws started 1 January 2026 in Queensland.
Police now have the power to issue on-the-spot Domestic Violence Protection Orders, called Police Protection Directions (PPDs).

PPDs are made without a court application and stay in place for 12 months. They can include conditions like no contact, leaving a shared home, staying away from certain places, and cooling-off periods.

PPDs cannot be issued in certain situations, including where there is an existing protection order is in place.

If someone breaches a PPD, it is a criminal offence.

If you’re served with a PPD or have questions about what these changes mean, seek legal advice immediately.

To learn more, read our factsheet: https://pulse.ly/gulnd95bij

If this raises issues for you, support is available:
📞 13YARN (24/7): 13 92 76
🚨 In immediate danger? Call 000
📞 PoliceLink QLD: 131 444
📱 DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱 1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
⚖️ Free legal DFV help – WLSQ: 1800 857 857 (Mon–Fri 9 AM – 4:30 PM)

17/12/2025

Congratulations Italy! Australia let's make this law also!!!

Italy has introduced a specific femicide law, making the intentional killing of a woman or girl a standalone criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment. The reform was brought forward by Italy’s first female Prime Minister, following public outcry over a series of gender-motivated killings and escalating violence against women.

Australia does not have a femicide law.

Here, gender-motivated killings are prosecuted under existing offences such as murder or manslaughter, and tracked through research - not recognised as a separate category in legislation.

While legal approaches vary globally, the underlying issue is the same:
Violence against women is systemic, preventable, and requires strong prevention, accountability and support systems.

🔗 Read more via ABC News: https://pulse.ly/ho2lc8vrbt

If this raises issues for you, support is available:
🚨 In immediate danger? Call 000
📱 DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱 1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
⚖️ Free DFV legal help – WLSQ: 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM)

15/12/2025

Like so many in our community, I am deeply saddened and shaken by the recent events in Bondi. My thoughts are with the victims, those who were injured, those who were at the scene and the families and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy.

I also want to acknowledge how events like this can resurface fear, grief, and distress — particularly for those who carry their own histories of trauma. This can be deeply re-traumatising.

For my clients and others, who are struggling with this news, please be gentle with yourself, limit exposure to distressing media where you can, and reach out for support if you need it.

In moments like these, connection, compassion, and care for one another matter more than ever. Holding the thoughts of the families who have lost a loved one — and all those impacted by this tragedy — in my thoughts. 🙏🏼💗

13/12/2025

A step in the right direction but a long way to go!

25/11/2025

I know how difficult the holiday season is for a lot of people experiencing fertility difficulties. These ideas may be helpful in navigating though it 💕