Agencies sound the alarm as DFV triples in Queensland and home has become the frontline
Domestic and family violence in Queensland has soared by more than 200 per cent over the past decade — despite the state being nine years into a 10-year strategy to curb it.
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Domestic and family violence in Queensland has soared by more than 200 per cent over the past decade, despite the state being nine years into a 10-year strategy to curb it.
Key agencies warn the system is at breaking point, with police now responding to a DV call almost every three minutes.
It comes after a suspected murder-suicide sent shockwaves across Queensland when it’s understood a man shot his wife then turned the gun on himself.
The couple’s nine-year-old daughter reportedly fled to a neighbour’s house just moments before two gunshots were heard coming from inside the home.
Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm said the incident in Cairns on Tuesday night was horrific.
“My heart goes out to the family and the community,” she said.
She said DFV was a whole-of-community issue requiring open conversations about relationships and the courage to call out abuse.
“We need to be having conversations with young men and women about what is a respectful relationship,” she said.
Ms Camm said the government would open a new 24/7 crisis counselling and referral service in North Queensland to support victims and connect them with local services.
New laws will also allow police to do more to safeguard victims sooner and free up officers to respond quickly to other cases.
One key reform gives police the power to issue 12-month police protection directions (PPDs) on the spot, offering immediate, long-term safety without court involvement — a major shift from current police protection notices, which provide only short-term protection.
“By allowing officers to put in place immediate 12-month long protection directions, police will be able to get to the next victim faster,” Ms Camm said.
Queensland Police Union general president Shane Prior said DFV had become the state’s biggest and most dangerous issue, placing frontline officers under “immense pressure” and leaving victims at risk.
“The most dangerous place in Queensland seems to be our own homes,” Mr Prior said.
“Police are now attending a domestic and family violence call every three minutes, and in some cases, victims were waiting up to four weeks for a response.”
Mr Prior said DFV fatigue was a significant factor in why many constables and senior constables were walking away from the job.
“The old system is broken. Victims’ lives are in danger, these reforms are essential, not just to protect victims, but for the very survival of policing in Queensland,” he said.
Cairns alone has had a sharp increase of nearly 1000 domestic violence breaches recorded in the first four months of 2025.
Nineteen men and seven women faced a combined 85 domestic violence charges in Cairns court on Thursday, May 29.
Four children also appeared on DV-related matters, with one being sentenced in the high court for strangulation.
A convicted drug trafficker also detailed years of domestic violence abuse behind her addiction.
Ms Camm said DFV had been “neglected” under the former government, adding the reforms were about shifting the onus off the victim and onto the perpetrator.
“Domestic and family violence has no place in our society and these laws are designed to reflect that,” she said.
As part of the overhaul, the government will also roll out 150 GPS tracking devices later this year for use on high-risk domestic violence offenders.
“I have met with local services in Cairns, as well as holding a round table to discuss the introduction of PPDs and GPS trackers, and my department is in contact with them to discuss changes,” Ms Camm said.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said police were struggling to keep up with the sheer amount of calls for help.
“We couldn’t stand back and continue to do the same thing and expect a different outcome,” Mr Purdie said.
Orders can also include conditions such as removal from the premises, no contact, or cool-down periods. Breaches of a PPD will be punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment.
The reforms were described by the government as “just the start” of a broader overhaul of the DFV response system.
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Originally published as Agencies sound the alarm as DFV triples in Queensland and home has become the frontline
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