The Gold Coast Bulletin

Police say work of DV taskforce lies

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SEXUAL assaults have spiked more than 30 per cent on the Gold Coast but weapons and drug offences, drink driving and property crime are down.

Between January and October 2017, 454 sexual offences were reported on the Glitter Strip. There were 364 during the same period in 2016.

Police say a 33 per cent increase shows the Coast’s Domestic Violence Taskforce is working.

Regional Crime Coordinato­r Detective Superinten­dent Kerry Johnson said a number of historical sexual assaults had also been reported in the period.

“We investigat­e and how we debrief with the victim (of DV) and this means we ask them questions about all areas of their relationsh­ips and we are finding out about these sexual assaults,” he said.

“We also have support agencies and other areas who are integrated and aware of what is happening.

“Society is saying now, ‘That’s not acceptable’. There is more awareness.”

Sources say the likelihood of serious violent assaults or

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