2013/14 a 2.7% increase in reports to the police. As the Queensland Taskforce on Domestic Violence noted on average there are 181 incidents reported to the police every day in Queensland. And we know these are just the tip of the iceberg as victims are often reluctant to report partner violence. Intimate partner violence was found to be the main contributor to death and disability to women aged 15 to 44 in Victoria. Domestic violence claims the lives of more Australian women under 45 than any other health risk, including cancer. Every three hours, a woman is hospitalised from domestic violence. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are up to 35 times more likely to be hospitalised. In Queensland, the Domestic Violence and Family Violence Death Review Unit reports that approximately 45 % of all homicides between 1st January 2006 and 31 December 2012 occurred within an intimate partner or family relationship. This year on average two women per week have been killed by their partner or ex partner. Domestic violence is not a code” and affects all socio-economic, cultural and religious “post groups. This is not an issue that can be solved by action by governments alone. Every individual has a role to play in eliminating violence against women and the Queensland Taskforce recognised this and challenged community members, individuals, faith communities, community organisations and sporting clubs to reflect on their behaviour and the behaviour they witness and speak out against attitudes that support FDV. Institutions such as the Family Law Courts, Child Safety, Legal Aid, the Child Support Agency and family dispute resolution services interact with high numbers of victims and perpetrators of violence in their respective client bases and are therefore powerful players in the way violence against women and children is considered and acted upon in the public sphere. These institutions can send powerful messages to the community in the decisions they make every day about not excusing violence, prioritising safety, supporting the victim of violence and making perpetrators accountable. It is important therefore that their important role in stopping violence against women and children and preventing its continuation, is acknowledged. Resources In 2008, it was estimated that the estimated expenditure on responding to FDV in Queensland was $111 million. This figure is projected to increase. Although we exist in a tight fiscal environment, the KPMG report makes clear that there is a significant cost to the community by not appropriately responding to FDV.
2013/14 a 2.7% increase in reports to the police. As the Queensland Taskforce on Domestic Violence noted on average there are 181 incidents reported to the police every day in Queensland. And we know these are just the tip of the iceberg as victims are often reluctant to report partner violence. Intimate partner violence was found to be the main contributor to death and disability to women aged 15 to 44 in Victoria. Domestic violence claims the lives of more Australian women under 45 than any other health risk, including cancer. Every three hours, a woman is hospitalised from domestic violence. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are up to 35 times more likely to be hospitalised. In Queensland, the Domestic Violence and Family Violence Death Review Unit reports that approximately 45 % of all homicides between 1st January 2006 and 31 December 2012 occurred within an intimate partner or family relationship. This year on average two women per week have been killed by their partner or ex partner. Domestic violence is not a “post code” and affects all socio-economic, cultural and religious groups. This is not an issue that can be solved by action by governments alone. Every individual has a role to play in eliminating violence against women and the Queensland Taskforce recognised this and challenged community members, individuals, faith communities, community organisations and sporting clubs to reflect on their behaviour and the behaviour they witness and speak out against attitudes that support FDV. Institutions such as the Family Law Courts, Child Safety, Legal Aid, the Child Support Agency and family dispute resolution services interact with high numbers of victims and perpetrators of violence in their respective client bases and are therefore powerful players in the way violence against women and children is considered and acted upon in the public sphere. These institutions can send powerful messages to the community in the decisions they make every day about not excusing violence, prioritising safety, supporting the victim of violence and making perpetrators accountable. It is important therefore that their important role in stopping violence against women and children and preventing its continuation, is acknowledged. Resources In 2008, it was estimated that the estimated expenditure on responding to FDV in Queensland was $111 million. This figure is projected to increase. Although we exist in a tight fiscal environment, the KPMG report makes clear that there is a significant cost to the community by not appropriately responding to FDV.
Womens-Legal-Services-Queensland.DOCX