DVO breaches rising
DOMESTIC violence order breaches have hit horror new levels across the Far North in the past three months as women’s shelters struggle to cope under pressure.
Police laid a total of 264 charges for breaching DV orders during November, the highest number recorded within a month for at least the past two decades. A further 243 charges were laid during December, while there were 263 handed out in January.
Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service chief executive Amanda Lee-Ross said the figures came as no surprise as demand on their service continued to grow.
She said Cairns’ two women’s shelters had both been full for “some time”, with some women needing to be put up in motels.
“We have seen an increase in the number of walk-in clients,” she said. “Everyone is experiencing a spike in demand. (Breaches in DVOs) can be right through from physical violence to text messages.
“They’re a common occurrence for our clients. Not all of them have a DVO, but of those that do, at least 80 per cent have had to use them.
“It’s very rare that (the offender) says ‘fair cop’ and starts to behave.”
The service has expanded significantly on the back of State Government funding in the past year, with 25 staff now based across offices in Cairns, Ravenshoe, Atherton, Mareeba and Mossman. They have added a second children’s counsellor and one staff member is part of the highrisk team – a multi-agency group which launched in March last year and monitors high-risk situations.
Ms Lee-Ross said it was difficult to know whether the increase in DVO breaches was down to more people offending or victims being more willing to report breaches.
“We’d like to think that it is the victim feeling more confident that the system works for them, but we don’t know,” she said.
Police Acting Superintendent Monique Ralph said domestic violence remained a key focus for police.
“There have been a significant number of breaches of DV reported to police in the Far North District,” she said.
“All DV-related matters reported to the police are treated seriously and fully investigated, with a goal of supporting the aggrieved, the family and the respondent to provide valuable education to addressing DV in the community and keeping people safe.”
Meanwhile, a Cairnsbased builder has been awarded a million-dollar contract to build supported accommodation in Pormpuraaw.
Strategic Builders won the $1,800,568 contract last year.
Also on the drawing board for the Far North is a $767,800 upgrade to a multipurpose centre in Kowanyama. Karumba-based firm Wren Construction has been awarded the tender for the build.