Domestic violence: Queensland neighbourhoods where AVO breaches have skyrocketed

This is where Queenslanders have seen the largest increase in reported domestic violence order breaches. See the full list.

Exclusive: Domestic violence order breaches are skyrocketing across Queensland, with a 70 per cent jump in reported violations over the past three years.

Queensland Police Service data showed reported breaches more than doubled in 31 out of 79 local government areas, including Cairns, which was up 128 per cent.

It recorded 3008 breaches in the 12 months to October, compared to 1322 in the same period of 2019.

Other large LGAs with significant increases were Logan (up 90 per cent, from 2382 to 4517), the Gold Coast (up 74 per cent, from 2506 to 4359) and Brisbane (up 72 per cent, from 3499 to 6017).

But a rise in reported DVO breaches is not necessarily a bad sign, according to experts.

Griffith University social work and criminology professor Dr Silke Meyer said victims were increasingly confident to come forward, driving the rise in reporting.

“The reform work over the last five years more broadly has increased awareness of reporting options and increased awareness that this can happen to anyone,” Dr Meyer said.

“It has taken out the stigma that it only happens to people of lower income tiers or lower socio economic background, or diverse linguistic backgrounds.

“We have had quite a few middle class victim-survivors coming out over the years speaking out and it’s given people confidence to report.”

She said people were also more aware of non-physical domestic and family violence, such as coercive control; and DVO conditions had become more comprehensive with specific behaviours listed, making it easier to understand what constitutes a breach.

Dr Silke Meyer said people were increasingly aware of what constitutes abuse or a DVO breach. Picture: Supplied.

However, Dr Meyer said there may have also been an increase in abuse and DVO breaches via mobile phones and social media during the pandemic.

“Growth in technology-facilitated abuse would increase reporting whereas previously victim-survivors may not be aware it constitutes domestic and family violence or a breach of that order,” she said.

“(Research shows) the police responses seem to be much better when there is physical evidence of abuse or harm, whereas with non-physical abuse, such as coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse, you need a really skilled and trained police officer who will respond and investigate accordingly,” she said.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed domestic violence-related crimes (including homicide, sexual assault and kidnapping) had been increasing in Queensland in recent years with a 27 per cent jump since the pandemic, between 2019 and 2021.

Queensland Courts data shows about two-thirds of DVO applications in the year to September 30 were lodged to protect a female victim from a male perpetrator (68 per cent), while almost one in six (16 per cent) protected a male victim from a female perpetrator.

Although most disputes were between people in an “intimate personal relationship”, 29 per cent of applications were made to protect an applicant from a family member.

About two-thirds of DVO applications protect a female from a male. Picture: QPS.

A QPS spokesman said demand for policing services for domestic and family violence (DVF) was rising substantially, with more than 130,000 related matters recorded by QPS last year.

“Responding to DFV matters are both challenging and complex for frontline officers who attend more than 350 DFV incidents on average each day across Queensland,” he said.

“The vast majority of police do an outstanding job, often in difficult circumstances, to keep the community safe every day.

“They spend thousands of hours every year listening to victims, making referrals, investigating complaints and doing what is required to protect vulnerable Queenslanders.

“The QPS remains committed to refining and enhancing the police response to DFV, including

improving processes for reporting and investigating matters in a timely manner, taking protective action tailored to the needs of the victim and holding perpetrators to account.

“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.”

It comes as the Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service this week made 78 recommendations to improve how police respond to domestic violence call outs.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 000 in an emergency.

For more support, please call:

24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

Men facing domestic violence can contact mensline.org.au on 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800

Lifeline on 13 11 14