DV victims given limited time for submissions on police culture Commission of Inquiry

The Opposition has criticised the limited time victims have been given to make their submissions to the independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland police responses to domestic violence.

Queenslanders have been given just three weeks to make their submissions to the independent Commission of Inquiry into police responses to domestic violence.

The deadline was extended by one week on Wednesday in the face of public pressure, with the Commission saying its “strict time frames” to deliver the final report by October meant it could not give people any more time.

But Opposition spokeswoman for the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence, Amanda Camm, said it was a challenge to find the website and submitters needed time.

“Victims need time to form their submissions,” she said.

“It’s often a re-traumatising process to reflect on experiences that were not easy to begin with.

“This Commission of Inquiry will only be effective if we get genuine submissions.

“This can’t be another superficial review.”

The independent Commission of Inquiry will look at police culture in relation to handling domestic violence complaints. Picture: Liam Kidston

A statement from the independent Commission said it would have access to the submissions provided to Justice Margaret McMurdo’s Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce and acknowledged the emotional and mental impacts of retelling traumatic experiences.

“In examining these cultural issues, the Commission will consider individual cases, however, because of the Commission’s focus on the systemic issues affecting police responses and the limited time frame allowed for the Inquiry, the Commission will not be investigating and making findings in relation to any individual cases which may be the subject of submissions received by it,” the statement said.

The Commission was called by the Queensland Government in May as a key recommendation by Justice McMurdo, who in December found that perpetrators had been “emboldened” by police, lawyers and the courts in a scathing assessment of how the justice system was failing victims.

It will hold its first sitting at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on George St at 9:30am Friday, where the Commissioner and Counsel Assisting will provide further information about the Inquiry.

Submissions can be made via qpsdfvinquiry.qld.gov.au.