PACT

Thank you Stephen Bennett MP for making time to visit Bundaberg Courthouse with our wonderful volunteers.

Meet Kaye and Wendy.

They’re our wonderful local PACT (Protect All Children Today) volunteers working behind the scenes to support victims of crime in our community.

Going through the judicial system can be an incredibly difficult time, especially for children and vulnerable adults.

PACT volunteers support these victims every step of the way, from talking to police right through to appearing in court.

Thank you Kaye and Wendy for everything you do for our community.

Victims of crime often say they're unsure how sentencing decisions are made, what the court takes into account, and what different sentences actually mean.

That's why we're sharing this resource from the Victims' Commissioner Queensland. The Sentencing Pathway is a free, online tool written specifically for victims of crime, with clear, easy to understand information about sentencing in Queensland. Great resource to share when victims reach that part of their journey through criminal justice system.

Explore the information that's relevant to you, at your own pace, when you're ready.

Take a look at the Sentencing Pathway: bit.ly/sentencing-pathway

PACT is proud to be working alongside Laura Ge**er MP, Deb Frecklington MP and Victim Assist Queensland (VAQ) to help shape Queensland's new Victims Advocate Service, ensuring victims can access the support, information and advocacy they need while navigating the justice system.

For more than 40 years, PACT has been supporting, educating and empowering victims throughout Queensland. We see every day the difference being heard and supported makes to a victim's experience with our justice system.

We welcome this important advancement in victim advocacy and the Queensland Government's commitment to placing victims at the centre of the justice system. PACT looks forward to continuing to work with government, Victim Assist Queensland and sector partners to strengthen support services, amplify victims' voices and ensure no victim faces court alone.

Today, on National Victims of Crime Day, we’re proud to introduce two important Bills to parliament to strengthen victims’ rights and deliver more support for victims across Queensland.

It’s a significant day to deliver reforms that will make a real difference for victims of crime.

We’re establishing a nation-leading Victims Advocate Service, with a dedicated 24/7 phone line and online hub to provide victims with support while helping them navigate the complex justice system, and making significant changes to the Victim Impact Statement process to allow more victims to share their experiences and be heard by the courts.

These reforms are about ensuring victims are heard, supported and put at the heart of our justice system.

The Crisafulli Government will always put the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders.

🌟 Tune into Ch7 tonight! 🌟

PACT will be featured on Channel 7 tonight at 6:27pm. One of our wonderful volunteers shares her story about the important support we provide victims and witnesses of crime throughout Queensland.

This story is part of Channel 7's coverage for Queensland Child Protection Week, shining a light on the unsung heroes who protect children. Because Protecting Children is Everyone's Business.

Thank you, Katrina Blowers and Ch 7 for your ongoing support of PACT. 🙏

40 years ago, a family's experience with the justice system sparked a seminar into child abuse. At that event, a presenter called on the audience to "Protect all children today". Kay McGrath and Det Sgt David Jefferies were there. So were parents Wendy and Michael Caffrey. Together, these inspiring people went on to establish PACT, and out of that grew Queensland Child Protection Week.

This week, 40 years later, it was an honour to hear directly from the team who established PACT, a real reminder of the vision it took to build an organisation dedicated to supporting children, young people and adults through the justice system.

We were also joined by Max Walters, Chair of the Board and many of our incredible volunteers, whose commitment continues to carry that same vision forward today.

Congratulations to all the deserving winners of Queensland Child Protection Week Awards. What an honour to be in the room with so many wonderful humans.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is deeply saddened by the passing of former Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski AO APM, following a courageous battle with cancer, today.

Steve’s legacy of service, courage, integrity and dedication will be remembered with great respect and gratitude by the many people and communities influenced by him.

His leadership through some of the most complex and significant moments in recent years reflected the confidence placed in him across the Service, government and the broader community. He was admired by many for his judgement, foresight and deep understanding of policing, and his impact will continue to be felt across Queensland, nationally and internationally for many years to come.

The QPS extends its sincerest condolences to Steve’s family, friends, colleagues and all who knew him during this difficult time.

With a career spanning more than 46 years, former Commissioner Gollschewski was the third longest serving police officer in QPS’ history.

Former Commissioner Gollschewski was appointed Queensland’s 21st Police Commissioner on 22 April 2024 and retired on 20 February 2026.

With honour he served.

A profound loss for Queensland. Mr Gollschewski's decades of service and leadership made our state safer, and his legacy will be felt across the policing and community safety sector for years to come. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and QPS colleagues.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is deeply saddened by the passing of former Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski AO APM, following a courageous battle with cancer, today.

Steve’s legacy of service, courage, integrity and dedication will be remembered with great respect and gratitude by the many people and communities influenced by him.

His leadership through some of the most complex and significant moments in recent years reflected the confidence placed in him across the Service, government and the broader community. He was admired by many for his judgement, foresight and deep understanding of policing, and his impact will continue to be felt across Queensland, nationally and internationally for many years to come.

The QPS extends its sincerest condolences to Steve’s family, friends, colleagues and all who knew him during this difficult time.

With a career spanning more than 46 years, former Commissioner Gollschewski was the third longest serving police officer in QPS’ history.

Former Commissioner Gollschewski was appointed Queensland’s 21st Police Commissioner on 22 April 2024 and retired on 20 February 2026.

With honour he served.

Making a Difference: Recognising the Support Our Volunteers Deliver 💛

At PACT, we believe no victim should face court alone. Every day, our volunteers bring that vision to life, supporting victims and witnesses across Queensland through some of the hardest moments of their lives. This week, we're sharing four stories that show just how much that support means.

💚 "Thank you so much for supporting our family at a very difficult time. This is such a valuable service." - A family, supported through their court journey.

🧡 "You stepped up to support a victim through their 93A and court appearance. She did well. Given we weren’t even sure she’d turn up, that is a huge credit to you." - An arresting officer, on the difference our volunteer made

🩵 "Your assistance has been very appreciated, more than you know. To have you supporting me with this means it's been finished, which may not have taken place had you not been there in our corner." - A person supported through their Financial Assistance Application

💜 "My family is so very grateful for your support and kindness throughout an incredibly stressful time" - A mother supported by a PACT volunteer.

This is the different our volunteers make, to children, young people, adults, families and the criminal justice system.

One of the simplest ways to say thank you is to help PACT support the next person who needs it. A donation, big or small, helps us train and equip more volunteers throughout Queensland.

Link to donate via our website. https://pact.org.au/donate/