The Coast's shocking domestic violence statistics

Noosa's White Ribbon Committee hope to end domestic violence with education after alarming statistics revealed the number of children caught in family incidents

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Superintendent Darryl Johnson, Bob Birkhead, Liam Dooley and Greg Nash meet to discuss this year's White Ribbon Walk in Noosa. Picture: Contributed

STATISTICS have revealed the shocking number of innocent children on the Sunshine Coast who are caught in the middle of a domestic violence crisis.

Noosa's White Ribbon Committee hopes to break this cycle and work towards a safer future.

Committee chair Bob Birkhead said local statistics provided by Sunshine Coast White Ribbon Committee showed the full extent of the crisis.

"Some 75 per cent of people living in women's refuges across the Sunshine Coast are under 12 years of age and the very harsh reality is that one in four young people are the victims of family and domestic violence,” Mr Birkhead said.

Last year it was also estimated 40 per cent of Noosa police officers' time was spent attending domestic violence incidents.

The Noosa committee plans to engage further with local high schools and target the issue from a young age.

Mr Birkhead said he hoped local schools would register for a free Queensland Department of Education school-based program called Breaking the Silence.

The program provides knowledge, skills and strategies to implement respectful relationships.

"We are keen to work with local schools to investigate the benefits of registration for the program,” Mr Birkhead said.

Schools are also encouraged to participate in the second annual Noosa White Ribbon Walk on Friday, November 22, along Gympie Terrace.

"(We hopes schools) can be represented on the walk and join the community in saying 'no' to violence, especially violence against women,” Mr Birkhead said.

Originally published as The Coast's shocking domestic violence statistics