Col’s Chat – Locals through my Lens – Tracey Leigh-Allen

Col’s Chat –

Locals through my Lens

Tracey Leigh-Allen

“Some organisations don’t believe that domestic and family violence is a workplace issue. However, it does come to work, especially at the moment, where the majority of workers are working from home.”

For Tracey Leigh-Allen, Director and Domestic Violence Consultant at locally-based DV Alliance, it is apparent that the boundaries between the employer and those affected by domestic violence have been blurred. “The employer is actually sitting on a lot of risk, but there’s this perception that neither they, or those affected can talk about it.”

It is clear talking to Tracey that there is a positivity towards the future, despite all that we know about domestic and family violence, and the impact it has on so many lives.

Tracey established DV Alliance in January 2021 with a mission to empower organisations to take informed action. In her previous role with the Queensland Police Service, she was the Senior Project Officer for the Brisbane Domestic and Family Violence High Risk Team.

With over eight years working in the sector, with both government and non-government, Tracey is committed to reducing domestic violence in our community, creating change through innovation and inclusivity.

Measuring success in a field that poses enormous challenges and lifelong scars can be difficult, but Tracey has a clear vision, and a dedicated purpose. “Success comes with working with organisations that have a social conscience and that want to help people.

Working in the domestic violence sector often comes with a personal cost, but I find that this is turned around when I engage with an organisation that wants to be part of the change that is needed in our society. Consequently, I can walk away feeling optimistic and much more uplifted than I did previously.”

If organisations see themselves in some way immune from the challenges faced by their employees, then a visit from Tracey is proving a real shake up. “I like to start uncomfortable conversations in the workplace. If I go in and give an awareness session, it is ultimately to help create a safe place, but I need to rip the band aid off and start people talking about sensitive topics.

Having heard someone else talk about it, people can feel empowered to say the words themselves. Not talking about it feeds the silence, and ultimately the behaviour.”

Any conversation is valuable, but the pitfalls are never far away. “Gendered language provides controversy. You have to be careful; only be respectful and factual, despite the results. We engage with young people via platforms like Instagram, and organisations through LinkedIn etc. We make very sure that there’s a call to action; or reveal a myth, or provide education, or news.”

A proud local, Tracey is wildly enthusiastic about where she and her family live. “It’s like a little country town next to the city! We love our community. We really try to do everything within the local area: sports, shops, schools. We can even hike Mount Coot-Tha from our front door.”

Tracey is keen to conclude that prevention of domestic and family violence at the earliest stage is vital, “If we can intervene in the early stages, we may just prevent a critical outcome. Domestic and family violence does not discriminate and support is available to everyone.

To find out more about Tracey and DV Alliance: dvalliance.com.au

Author & Photographer: Colin Bushell / Colin Bushell Photography