Domestic and family violence in the Far North among the worst in the state, stakeholders say

Sobering statistics have revealed domestic violence offending rates in Far North Queensland remain among the worst across the entire state.

A candlelit vigil to remember and honour those lost to domestic and family violence was held at Wharf One Cafe. Relationships Australia regional manager Alisha Lyncoln lights a candle to remember those lost. Picture: Brendan Radke

Sobering statistics have revealed domestic violence offending rates in Far North Queensland remain among the worst across the entire state.

Communities across Queensland held a minute of silence at candlelit vigils on Wednesday, which was National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day, as a part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

The Cairns vigil, held at Wharf One cafe, called attention to the alarming prevalence of family violence in Far North Queensland.

“Much of the violence that victim-survivors experience happens behind closed doors, so ceremonies like this bring visibility to (it),” said Colleen Gage, senior practitioner at the Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service.

“We are not just taking a moment, we are sending a message.

Ms Gage giving her address. Picture: Brendan Radke

“These lives mattered, they will not be forgotten, and the work that we do must go on.”

Ms Gage said the service was experiencing an increase in presentations.

In the 2024/25 financial year, the service received more than 1800 referrals from Queensland Police and more than 1200 new clients, “in addition to the multitude of phone calls, walk in presentations and other referrals,” Ms Gage said.

Far Northern Region Police Superintendent Mick Searle acknowledged rates of domestic and family violence had been an ongoing concern for his team.

“We are towards the higher end of the state in terms of demand for policing services to cater to domestic and family violence,” Superintendent Searle said.

He said between July 1 last year and Wednesday, May 7, Far North police reported 7312 breaches of domestic violence protection orders, 257 strangulation offences and 2232 police applications for domestic and family violence protection orders.

Picture: Brendan Radke

He also said there were 7572 other instances “where we’ve attended a relationship that may fit within domestic and family violence and have offered support and referral pathways”.

“The legacy solution is what we have to chase here, and that is that behavioural change,” he said.

Ms Gage added that social attitudes needed to change.

“What we’re doing is working towards perpetrator accountability, and what we need to do is come together as a community and attend vigils like these,” she said. “We need everyone … to carry this work forward. Not just tonight, but tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.

“We’re just asking you to speak up, call it out when it starts, in your friend groups, in your chats, in your lunch breaks. We don’t need you to be perfect. We need you to speak.”

Mr Searle speaks at the candlelit vigil. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Searle said he wanted victim-survivors to know support was available.

“I can only encourage people that when they are ready to engage and feel that they can … at least open themselves to the possibility of the support services that exist, to please take that step forward,” he said.

“It doesn’t need to be the police, it can be to the Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service … or other services that exist.”

Ms Gage also highlighted the support available.

“We’re here with you, we understand it’s an incredibly courageous and vulnerable time for victim-survivors and we’re here to support them,” she said.

If you are in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, call triple-zero (000) and ask for Police.

If you don’t want to speak to the police you can also call:

● DV Connect on 1800 811 811

● 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

 

Originally published as Domestic and family violence in the Far North among the worst in the state, stakeholders say