‘One in ten’ Community event raises awareness of Cairns’ domestic violence crisis

Chilling data reveals one in 10 domestic violence offences in Queensland are committed in Cairns, as coercive control becomes a criminal offence in Queensland. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Community members in Cairns were encouraged to write and draw "positive actions" to build a safer Queensland. Picture: Elodie Jakes

Chilling data reveals one in 10 domestic violence offences in Queensland are committed in Cairns.

Leading DV organisation Relationships Australia worker Ally Winstone said public awareness was critical to reducing domestic violence across the state.

It comes as coercive control is officially a criminal offence in Queensland from May 26, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

“We (want) ... to encourage friends and family to be able to recognise the signs of domestic and family violence, and encourage them to get support,” Ms Winstone said.

Relationships Australia worker Ally Winstone at the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month Community Awareness Event in Cairns on Thursday May 22. Picture: Elodie Jakes

“On this tree we have a butterfly representing every person who has been murdered in Queensland since May last year due to domestic and family violence.

“There are 18 butterflies on the tree.”

Since the start of the year 29 women have been killed in Australia as a result to domestic violence according to the Red Heart Campaign’s Australian Femicide Map.

“Members of the community can write a message of hope to add to the tree, DV is not an impossible problem and our role is to bring hope to the situation,” Ms Winstone said.

Each butterfly represents a person in Queensland killed due to domestic violence in the past 12 months. Community members were encouraged to write messages of hope on the leaves. Picture: Elodie Jakes

“Resolving domestic and family violence requires a holistic response that addresses everyone affected by violence to create long-term change.”

Queensland court data shows Cairns is leading Queensland DV offences, at 1914 flagged DV offences lodged in the 12 months ending on April 30, 2025.

With 14,313 offences recorded statewide, Cairns accounted for a staggering 13 per cent of the state’s DV offences.

The second highest city in Queensland was Townsville with 1472 DV offences in the same period.

Visual representation of the domestic violence crisis in Cairns. Picture: Elodie Jakes

Coercive control is when someone deliberately uses abusive behaviours against another person to control or dominate them – including physical or non-physical abuse used to hurt, humiliate, isolate, frighten or threaten another person.

Queensland Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence minister Amanda Camm said the new coercive control laws would shift focus from responding to single incidents of violence, to the patterns of abusive behaviours that occur over time.

“Coercive control is almost always an underpinning dynamic of domestic and family violence,” Minister Camm said.

Relationships Australia north Queensland regional manager Alisha Lyngcoln said a multitude of programs support the victims and perpetrators of violence.

“Not all disrespect towards women results in violence, but all violence against women starts with disrespect,” Ms Lyngcoln said.

“One in four women, and one in 14 men have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.

“It’s important the Far North community understands that we have a variety of programs to give individuals the tools they need to be part of the solutions.”

Community members were encouraged to rethink their beliefs around masculinity and relationships. Picture: Elodie Jakes

Relationship Australia Queensland facilitate the Stopping Family Violence program, a self-referred behaviour change program for perpetrators of domestic violence.

“Group members understand their emotions, beliefs, communication and their behaviours, we run it in Cairns, Mareeba, Mossman, Innisfail and Atherton,” Ms Lyngcoln said.

“Domestic violence is intergenerational, and we want to encourage those who use violence to seek support so that they can become a better partner or parent.”

A community awareness event was held at the Cairns Esplanade on Thursday, May 22.

Originally published as ‘One in ten’ Community event raises awareness of Cairns’ domestic violence crisis