Domestic violence order breaches skyrocket on the Sunshine Coast

The effects of Covid on rising domestic violence order breaches are yet to be fully understood as latest data reveals a dramatic spike across the Sunshine Coast.

Jonathan McBride from the DV Police Unit. Picture: Patrick Woods.

New data has revealed worsening domestic violence on the Sunshine Coast, with reported breaches of orders rising significantly as cops struggle to deter repeat offenders.

There has been a sharp rise in the number of domestic violence order breaches on the Sunshine Coast, with a 61 per cent increase in the past three years.

Data from the Queensland Police Service showed 1735 reported breaches in the 12 months to October, compared to 1078 breaches in the same period of 2019.

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Sunshine Coast Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit Senior Sergeant Jonathan McBride said these latest statistics were only part of the picture, as reporting of domestic violence order contraventions has been escalating since 2015.

“The numbers have increased every year since then,” he said.

Sergeant McBride said there has been a focus on awareness and education on domestic and family violence in recent years.

“That greater awareness has resulted in an increase in the reporting,” he said.

“But 80 per cent of domestic and family violence remains unreported. We know that it is a hidden crime, it occurs behind closed doors a lot of the time.

“Policing of domestic and family violence is very complex. However, we can't protect victim survivors if we are not aware of what is occurring.”

Founder and chief executive of DV Safe Phone Ashton Wood said he had noticed a significant increase in the number of domestic violence orders being issued in the region.

“It’s pretty concerning. It takes a lot of police resources,” he said.

Founder of DV Safe Phone Ashton Wood said he was concerned that Covid-19 has made it more difficult for victims of domestic violence.

Mr Wood said Covid-19 has had an impact on victims trying to escape a violent partner and contributed to the rise of repeat domestic violence offending.

“In the past, in domestic violence, you could get away from your violent partner easier. Now, with Covid-19, working conditions have changed and people are at home a lot more,” he said.

“Organisations have changed their working structures and people don’t need to go into the office, which can sometimes be a safe haven. So it has definitely changed the way that people now are able to access support and get some distance between them and their violent partners or ex partners.”

Sergeant McBride said the effects of Covid-19 on the reported increase in violence was hard to measure.

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“We haven’t done enough research,” he said.

“People are obviously more isolated from their support networks, which does mean increased time with perpetrators at home.

“There are also the pressures of loss of employment, financial pressures and general stress over the future. That would have had an effect on the amount of domestic and family violence incidents.”

If you are in immediate danger, please call triple-0 in an emergency.

For more support, please call:

24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

Men facing domestic violence can contact mensline.org.au on 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Originally published as Domestic violence order breaches skyrocket on the Sunshine Coast