Queensland Minister Blames 'Scare Campaign' for Victims' Fear in Seeking Support

Queensland's Minister for Domestic and Family Violence Prevention, Amanda Camm, has deflected criticism by attributing victims' hesitation to seek help on a "shameful scare campaign." During a late-night budget estimates hearing, Camm claimed that victims are "frightened" to access support services because of misinformation circulating about funding cuts and service availability.

Camm asserted that several domestic violence survivors had confided in her, expressing increased fear and even discussing their own funerals and life insurance policies "in the event that they were murdered at the hands of their perpetrator." She stated these individuals reported being more afraid to seek help due to what they perceive on social media and in the media – a belief that services will not be there when needed.

“

Over the past week alone, several women have told us they are now even more frightened to seek support because they believe, based on what they are hearing on social media and in the media, that service will not be there when they need them.

This defense comes amid significant scrutiny, with the Opposition demanding Camm's dismissal following reports of a $40 million budget cut for domestic and family violence prevention. The LNP, however, denies that frontline services were affected, clarifying the reduction was for a "time-limited" women's safety and justice taskforce that had concluded its work.

Adding to the controversy, Minister Camm failed to provide an update on the implementation of recommendations from a taskforce established to combat coercive control and domestic violence, despite a prior promise from Premier David Crisafulli. The taskforce had made 277 recommendations across two reports in 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, the state government has allocated $340.7 million for DFV prevention in the 2026-27 financial year, though $10.569 million was reportedly re-allocated to "other families initiatives" like financial counseling and emergency relief.

“

shameful, perverse scare campaign