Chilling stories of Queensland domestic and family violence victims

Thousands of Queenslanders have gathered to raise awareness against domestic violence and coercive control in a male-led campaign on Friday morning.

“Over the years he explicitly told me he knew how to kill us all and make sure we were never found.”

“I walked on eggshells and my purpose was his happiness and keeping him from getting upset.”

Chilling stories of Queensland domestic and family violence victims were shared on Friday morning to a large crowd in attendance of the annual White Ribbon Day Breakfast.

Over 1000 Queenslanders united alongside government, corporate and community leaders in a male-led campaign to legislate against coercive control and highlight the role men play in fostering cultural change.

In 2020-21, nearly 120,000 domestic violence related matters were attended by police, a 13 per cent increase on the year before.

In the last 15 years, more than 140 Queensland women were killed by an intimate partner and a quarter of family violence homicides are children.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged the men in the room to be “change makers” and encourage those around them to be the same.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk shared her message to the state’s men on how they can make a difference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Without men wanting to change or be change makers, the cycle will continue.”

Head of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce Margaret McMurdo gave a chilling speech to the crowd on coercion control.

“The misconception that only physical violence is domestic abuse is so entrenched that victims themselves often don't realise they are experiencing domestic violence,” she said.

“Perpetrators are usually careful image managers, their behaviour has been likened to child sex offenders.

“They groom the victim, those around them, authorities in the community.”

Other notable speakers include Minister the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman, who pledged the Government’s effort to end violence against women.

Also in attendance was 2022 Queensland Australian of the Year recipients Sue and Lloyd Clarke, who thanked those who had helped to raise $100,000 for Small Steps 4 Hannah, and Brisbane Lions vice-captain Harris Andrews, who spoke on “footy culture” and the importance of educating the next generation of males.

The White Ribbon Day Breakfast was the turnout was the largest in the last five years.

Premier Palaszczuk took time during her speech to remind the audience to get vaccinated