Mackay: The worst suburb for DV revealed as breaches spike

Despite millions of dollars of funding last year, the scourge of domestic violence is still plaguing Queensland and Mackay Isaac Whitsunday have not been immune. SEE WHERE YOUR SUBURB RANKED.

Domestic violence orders in Mackay have been breached more than 700 times already in 2021 after a horror 12 months for victims of abuse.

The Queensland Police figures show domestic abusers are still repeatedly flaunting the orders, put in place to protect those who have been bashed by their partners.

The Mackay region has recorded 730 breaches of domestic violence protection orders already in 2021 after orders were breached a total of 1571 times in 2020.

That number was a sharp rise from 1267 in 2019 and came despite the State Government pouring millions of dollars into combating the scourge.

More than 40 domestic violence advocates gathered at the Bluewater Quay, Mackay, as part of a Red Rose Rally on Friday February 21. Photo: Zizi Averill

The increase, according to Mackay District Police in January, is being put down to more reports as opposed to violent domestic offenders brazenly breaching the orders.

The two spots with the most reports were Mackay and the Northern Beaches where the orders were breached 320 and 132 times, respectively, in the past six months.

The next worst place for breaches was Farleigh with 90, followed by Collinsville with 87 and Dysart with 91.

Nebo, Marian, Saint Lawrence, and Eton have recorded 0 so far in 2021.

Broken Ballerina Foundation director Jules Thompson comforting a fellow victim of domestic violence at the Red Rose Rally in Mackay last year. Broken Ballerina provides a much needed service for survivors in Mackay.

Last month, Police Minister Mark Ryan revealed Operation Sierra Alessa – a two-month project which resulted in officers harassing domestic abusers repeatedly – reduced family violence offences 56 per cent and identified more than 320 new perpetrators in Queensland.

The Ethical Standards Command is also reviewing how police combat domestic violence across the state and the Mackay District is looking at developing a “standard of practice” for its specialised unit in a bid to stem assaults in the home.

Mackay police have a designated family and domestic violence co-ordinator and the region has a slew of other organisations like Broken Ballerina who help victims in what can be a terrifying experience facing their abuser in court.