Domestic violence cycle continues as children as young as 10 offend
EDUCATION will start in Queensland classrooms from next week as the next frontier in our domestic violence scourge presents a major new challenge.
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CHILDREN, possibly as young as 10, are committing domestic violence in Queensland, often after being exposed to abuse in their own homes.
Exclusive figures obtained by The Courier-Mail reveal youths aged 10 to 18 were charged with more than 1500 domestic violence breaches between January 2012 and last December.
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Ten of those breaches were committed by boys or girls aged 10 to 14. The figures show there were also 26 breaches by 15-year-olds for that same period, and 174 by 16-year-olds.
But police and lawyers agree the issue would be under-reported, with concerns youths are failing to recognise it as domestic violence or choosing not to report it.
The Courier-Mail has been told of a case where police took out a DVO against a 14-year-old ice-user to prevent him from contacting a 13-year-old girl, who had moved into his home and he was accused of having sex with.
The boy was charged with breaching the order after the girl arrived at his apartment.
In another case, a 17-year-old girl infested with head lice phoned her motherin distress when her 15-year-old boyfriend would not allow her to leave the home to seek treatment.
When police arrived, they could see the lice “jumping out of her hair”. The young male had to be restrained by his father after he became aggressive towards officers and tried to stop the girl from collecting her belongings.
A social worker said domestic violence was learnt behaviour and most of the children breaching the orders had witnessed violence in their own homes before repeating the behaviour.
Queensland Police Superintendent Dave Tucker said the issue of domestic violence in juvenile relationships was reflective of society.
“Domestic and family violence, it has tentacles that reach out everywhere, and just because you’re under a certain age doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to be part of that,” he said.
“We are always going to have that issue of under-reporting.”
Under Queensland legislation, a child can only have a domestic violence order taken out against them if an “informal care relationship” or “intimate personal relationship” exists.
Experts say, for the teenage category, this largely meant boyfriend-girlfriend relationships, with Queensland parents restricted from taking out orders against their children under 18.
Sergeant Larissa Flood, Domestic and Family Violence co-ordinator for the Cairns district, said early education about respectful relationships was critical.
“As much as there is a low reported breaches of DV by juveniles, my concern is the unreported amount,” she said.
“If there are issues starting that early then both people in that relationship need to see the signs and be the solution by going out and seeking help, whether it be counselling or an anger management course.”
On the Gold Coast, Domestic and Family Violence co-co-ordinator Sergeant Debbie Phillips said parents were “increasingly” seeking advice about their children falling victim to domestic violence relationships.
Griffith University law school senior lecturer Zoe Rathus said there could be a lot less certainty and “give” in teenage relationships.
“Jealousy is a key factor in domestic violence and, with teenagers; it can play out more quickly,” she said.
“There’s also no question that social media has changed the dynamics of how these things play out.”
Inspector Regan Carr said police initiatives included Project Booyah, a program which targets at-risk youth.
Officers are also involved in “Love Bites”, a school-based program that was developed by the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect to educate youth about respectful relationships.
Students determined to break the cycle
THEY are the next generation, and they’re determined to take a stand against domestic violence.
Teenagers from Cavendish Road State High School are taking the lead in standing up to the cultural scourge, with the school rolling out the Respectful Relations curriculum.
Rodney Chaseling, 16, is hopeful his generation will be the one to eradicate domestic violence, saying: “I think it’s really important to be involved. I would feel guilty if I didn’t do anything about it.”
The school runs mixed-age classes for its senior students to be role models for the younger grades and discuss social issues.
“When you are a teenager, you are developing your self-worth and it can really be affected by a bad relationship,” Rodney said.
Fellow Year 12 student Jess Coppard, 16, said that as a young woman growing up, the lessons held particular importance for her.
“It’s important not only that adults are aware, but also us as younger people,” she said.
The school’s student leaders, including 16-year-old Prosper Musukuma, said they were confident their generation could make a difference.
“As a leader, I know I have an influence and we have the power to change this,” Prosper said. “We are the leaders of the future.”
Principal Corrine McMillan said she was proud of her students, who will this year mark White Ribbon Day.
“Students will present a declaration to make a stand against domestic violence,” she said. “I’m proud to see the students – particularly the male population – live up to the challenge.”
Message to begin in Prep
DOMESTIC violence education will start in Queensland classrooms from Prep to Year 12 from next week.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail, Education Minister Kate Jones confirmed the Respectful Relationships Education Program would be rolled out across the state to address domestic violence.
The program was developed in response to the recommendations made by former governor-general Quentin Bryce’s Domestic and Family Violence Taskforce’s Not Now, Not Ever report.
Ms Jones encouraged all Queensland schools to adopt the newly developed program.
“The program aims to clearly convey the message to Queenslanders from a young age that domestic and family violence is never acceptable, and that everyone has a responsibility to act,” she said.
“We are committed to increasing awareness and reinforcing intolerance of domestic and family violence through education and community engagement.”
School principals will decide how to roll out the program in consultation with their community.
The program will have younger students learn about emotional responses and respecting similarities and differences, while senior students will learn about addressing gender-based violence, power and relationships, and seeking help.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Shannon Fentiman, yesterday pledged $3.7 million in funding for the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, operated at CQ University.
The new studies will focus on Queensland and the enforcement of protection orders and best practice for perpetrator programs.
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