Our strangulation victims need Palaszczuk’s support
AN AUSTRALIA-first service would provide specialised support for Toowoomba residents who have been strangled or choked but only if the Queensland Government grants $400,000 to get it off the ground.
Queensland Police data shows there were 91 offences of strangulation in the Toowoomba-Warwick area since the act became a crime in May 2016.
Men are the key offenders with the Queensland Police data showing just three charges related to female perpetrators in the Darling Downs police district.
The region accounts for 6.5 per cent of the 1423 strangulation offences recorded across Queensland in the two years to March 31.
“The biggest impact of the laws is that this crime is now taken extremely seriously,” Domestic Violence Action Centre’s Dawn Osborne said.
“It’s brought a bigger focus on strangulation and all of our staff have attended intensive training.”
Research shows people who have been strangled at least once are seven times more likely to be murdered by their assailant than those who have not been strangled.
Some victims die or have blood clots, strokes or brain damage months down the track.
Red Rose Foundation hopes to roll out a statewide service providing immediate and ongoing support for survivors of the crime.
Based on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, it will give comprehensive online and telephone support to regional Queenslanders.
It will offer trauma counselling, intensive medical support and liaison with local health services and legal help for survivors needing to give evidence against their perpetrators in court.
“Victims need specialised support for the medical implications of strangulation because victims can die up to a year later,” Red Rose Foundation CEO Betty Taylor said.
Fundraising has started, with the foundation hoping the Queensland Government will contribute an initial $400,000 plus ongoing support.
A government spokesperson said it backed the foundation’s vision but there was no commitment to funding.
“The government is happy to work with the foundation on how to improve support for survivors and victims of domestic and family violence into the future,” the spokesperson said.
NewsRegional supports the Government’s #dosomething campaign, which urges people to phone police if they know someone is experiencing domestic violence. - NewsRegional For 24-hour support in Queensland, phone DVConnect on 1800 811 811 or MensLine on 1800 600 636.