Violence on home front

Taskforce investigates surge of attacks on Coast

POLICE are shocked by a spike in domestic violence incidents on the Gold Coast.

The Domestic and Family Violence Taskforce is reviewing several cases from the weekend, including an attempted strangulation and a woman trapped in a Surfers Paradise apartment after a man armed with a knife threatened to set the unit on fire.

Acting Superintendent Marc Hogan, from Crime and Support Gold Coast, said the number of serious offences remained “high” and would be investigated by all agencies.

The taskforce was set up after the deaths of Tara Brown, Karina Lock, Shelsea Schilling and Teresa Bradford.

“All domestic violence matters are reviewed by the Gold Coast Domestic and Family Violence Taskforce for exceptions and referral to specialist investigative areas,” Acting Supt Hogan said.

Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence director Di Macleod has tracked increased reporting of strangulation on the Glitter Strip after the State Government introduced new laws.

“I’m concerned about the intersection of all levels of violence – physical violence and the injuries with sexual violence, strangulation – because that’s a red flag for homicide,” Ms Macleod said.

Acting Supt Hogan agreed, adding that police were focused on strangulation cases because it was a key indicator to serious acts of violence including homicide.

“Strangulation matters at the Gold Coast are primarily investigated by plain clothes specialist work units. All matters of this type are examined by the taskforce,” he said.

Breaches of DV orders continue to increase by 25 per cent, and the Government estimates in the past three years it had boosted funding by 50 per cent to roll out prevention programs.

Opposition prevention of domestic and family violence spokesperson Ros Bates was aware of the weekend cases and like police remains concerned about the violent trend.

“Sadly under this Labor Government abused women and families have seen a measly 2.3 per cent growth in funding to support services in the southeast region,” she said.

“The result is women and children fleeing violent homes with nowhere to go.”