Appendices to the Report of the Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence

176 Pages·2015·19.14 MB·English

NOT NOW, NOT EVER – Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland
APPENDIX 1

Premier’s Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family
Violence in Queensland
Domestic violence is everyone’s concern. As a community, we have a responsibility to stop
the behaviour and attitudes that feed into the cycle of domestic violence and to look after one
another.
Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or wealth. The social and
economic cost to individuals, their families and the community is enormous. There has been a
tragic increase in domestic and family violence incidents over the last few years. Levels of
domestic violence in Queensland have increased by more than 10% since 2010-2011. In 2013
alone, there were:
 64,246 occurrences of domestic violence (up from 57,963 in 2012);
 14,659 domestic violence applications made by police (up from 12,845 in 2012);
 8,241 domestic violence applications made privately (up from 7,444 in 2012);
 12,828 breaches of domestic violence court orders (up from 10,997 in 2012); and
 17 domestic and family violence related homicides (of the total 49 homicides).
The estimated annual cost of domestic and family violence to the Queensland economy is
between $2.7 billion and $3.2 billion.
Queensland’s domestic and family violence support system is complex, and includes a
number of Queensland Government departments administering police, legal, housing and
other support services. The tireless efforts of many organisations around the state that support
Queenslanders experiencing domestic and family violence also needs to be acknowledged.
The Queensland Government is committed to taking a strong leadership position and working
in partnership with the community to eliminate domestic and family violence.
Special Taskforce
 The Premier, the Honourable Campbell Newman, MP, has appointed a Special
Taskforce (the Taskforce) to investigate domestic and family violence in Queensland.
 The Taskforce is chaired by the Honourable Quentin Bryce AD CVO and comprises
four Members of Parliament (two LNP members, one opposition member and one
independent), two expert community representatives and an Indigenous
representative.
 The Taskforce will be charged with defining the domestic and family violence
landscape in Queensland and will recommend ways the Queensland Government and
community might reduce the incidence of this insidious form of violence.
 The Taskforce will reach into all Queensland regions as part of an extensive program
of consultation with key stakeholders and the community.
Structure and Process
 The Taskforce will make recommendations to the Queensland Government, to inform
the development of a domestic and family violence strategy to achieve a long term
vision, where all Queenslanders can live free from violence from a partner or family
member, and where children do not have to see or experience family violence.
 In conducting its review, the Taskforce will undertake extensive, state-wide community
engagement and consultation, recognising the need for shared responsibility across
government, business, media, non-government organisations, communities, families
and individuals in seeking to achieve the long term vision.
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 In conducting its review, the Taskforce will seek input from relevant experts, including
those with knowledge of, and experience in, family law matters, and issues involving
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, those from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds, same sex relationships, people in rural and remote
areas and people with disability.
 The Chair of the Taskforce will make recommendations, by way of a report, to the
Premier by 28 February 2015. The report will be tabled in Parliament as soon as
practicable after the Premier receives the report.
 The Taskforce will be supported by a secretariat provided by the Department of the
Premier and Cabinet.
Terms of Reference
In making its recommendations, the Taskforce is to have regard to, but is not to be limited by,
the following matters:
 Educating and engaging Queenslanders to create a community that supports
respectful relationships, practices positive attitudes and behaviours and promotes a
culture of non-violence
 Early intervention to identify those who are at the greatest risk of violence, to ensure
action is taken to protect those at risk of being subject to domestic and family violence,
and to change the behaviour of those who use violence
 Holistic, coordinated and timely responses to domestic violence, including building
community confidence in the reporting and investigation of domestic and family
violence and ensuring that those who are subject to domestic and family violence
receive immediate and effective protection and support
 Ensuring that Queensland’s law and order responses, including police, prosecutors
and courts, provide an effective response to domestic and family violence, to deter
perpetrators from committing violence, and hold them accountable for their behaviour
 Considering ways in which strategies for ensuring protection from domestic and family
violence in Queensland best complement relevant systems and processes (including
within the family law jurisdiction) to provide just outcomes and maximise the safety of
families
 Defining the scope of violence, assault and abuse to be addressed in a domestic and
family violence strategy and whether it would be appropriate for such a strategy to
focus on particular or defined sections of the community in order to have the most
impact.
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Phase One – Setting the groundwork
This included surveys, the Chair’s preliminary community tour and the launch of final Terms of
Reference, Taskforce membership and a speaker event.
Chair’s Community The Chair visited Beenleigh, Cairns, Torres Strait,
Consultations Doomadgee, Aurukun and Mount Isa and spoke with
(August, September 2014) police, communities, justice/courts, health, education,
service providers, advocates, community leaders,
special interest groups and those affected by domestic
and family violence to build a context for the work of
the Taskforce and inform the Terms of Reference.
Community Attitudes Survey Designed to canvass community awareness and
(Online from attitudes to domestic and family violence. 897
10 August - 3 September 2014) responses were received. A summary of findings is at
Appendix 3.
Survey on draft terms of Designed to seek feedback on draft Terms of
reference Reference. 64 responses were received. Assisted in
(Online from 10 August to development of final Terms of Reference.
3 September 2014)
Launch The Taskforce formally launched on
(10 September 2014) 10 September 2014. Membership of the Taskforce
and Terms of Reference announced.
Included an event for 50 guests. Facilitated by
Professor Carol Dickenson, Senior Deputy Vice-
Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology
with speeches from:
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 Ms Diane Mangan, DV Connect
 Ms Sonia Anderson, Advocate
 Ms Wendy Reid, CEO Challenge
 Professor Heather Douglas, University of
Queensland
 Mr Ian Stewart, Police Commissioner

Phase Two – State-wide consultation
The Taskforce has focused on Queenslanders views on how to eliminate domestic and family
violence. Many courageous people have shared their stories and we have challenged the broader
community to raise innovative, fresh ideas.
During the past five and a half months the review has been assisted by:
 961 completed surveys
 185 written submissions
 367 groups from across the state engaging with Taskforce members
 457 people attending events hosted by the Taskforce
 164 people participating in focus groups.
Thousands of Queenslanders have participated actively throughout the review. Contributions
showcase Queensland’s diversity, with input coming from a wide range of groups and locations.
Share your story The taskforce published ‘Our Journal’, a compilation
(Between 15 September and of personal stories, ideas and experiences about
20 October 2014) domestic and family violence. 53 contributions were
received from members of the public.
Formal submissions Designed to seek expert input on matters covered by
(Between 15 September and the Terms of Reference. 132 formal submissions were
1 December 2014) received. A summary can be found in Chapter 3.
General input An email and postal address were promoted to receive
general enquiries, feedback and requests for the
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Taskforce. 217 enquiries were received.
Summits Two summits were held in Brisbane and Townsville on
27 October 2014 and 5 November 2014 to generate
robust discussion on three themes: attitudes and culture,
integrated responses and justice responses. A summary
is included in Chapter 3.
Individual/Group Meetings A targeted series of smaller consultation meetings
were scheduled to engage with individuals and groups
on a more personal basis.
White Ribbon Day breakfast The Taskforce hosted a White Ribbon Day breakfast
(25 November 2014) for 200 to highlight the key role of men in preventing
violence against women facilitated by Ms Kay
McGrath with speakers:
 Mr Ben Ikin – White Ribbon Day Ambassador,
and former rugby league player
 Mr Leigh Matthews - White Ribbon Day
Ambassador, former Australian Football League
player and coach
 Mr Joe Rea – General Manager Boyne Smelters
Limited
 Mr George Theo – CEO Unitywater
Focus Groups Were conducted by an independent research agency
(December 2014 and January to seek the views of socio-demographic groups in the
2015) community who would not usually engage in the
issue to provide qualitative input on community
attitudes on domestic and family violence. A
summary is included in Chapter 3 and the report is at
Attachment 4.
Queensland Government Sought information from state government agencies
through Director-Generals in relation to each relevant
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agency’s response to domestic and family violence.
19 responses were received.
Roundtables Convened with representatives of:
(January, February 2015)  Indian community
 Muslim community
 African community
 Indigenous community
 Those with disabilities

Phase Three – Development of final report
This took an incremental approach and included the following activities:
 Our Journal – A collection of personal thoughts about domestic violence identified key
issues in service delivery, cross jurisdictional issues and creative solutions
 Analysis of formal submissions providing an evidence base for recommendations
 Consultation with experts e.g. Crown Law for advice on the intersection of the
Magistrates and Family Court processes.
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Tell the Taskforce: Domestic and Family
Violence survey
Executive summary
An online survey of community attitudes towards domestic and family violence (DFV) was conducted
between 10 August 2014 and 4 September 2014. A total of 879 responses were included in the final
analysis. It is important to note, participants to the survey were not representative of the broader
Queensland population.1 As a result, the responses reported here may not accurately reflect attitudes
towards DFV among a more representative sample of Queenslanders.

The responses received largely reflected the views of middle-aged women who had direct or indirect
experience of DFV. Specifically:
 56% of the sample was aged 40 to 65
 87% of the sample was female
 92% of the sample identified that they or someone they know has experienced DFV.
There was broad consensus across participants regarding the behaviours that constitute DFV. Most
participants (more than 97%) agreed that behaviours that were intended to cause harm or fear, to
control, or to make a partner feel useless or embarrassed constituted DFV behaviours.

There was also agreement across participants that there is a need for people outside the DFV relationship
to become more involved in supporting and responding to the needs of victims. For example, more than
three quarters of participants believed ‘most people turn a blind eye to, or ignore, domestic violence,’
while an even larger majority did not subscribe to the view that ‘domestic and family violence is a private
matter to be handled in the family’ or that ‘most women could leave a violent relationship if they really
wanted to.’

Participants were asked what action they would take when confronted with DFV across a range of
contexts, and what would prompt them to take such action. Most participants reported that they would
take action if a family member, close friend or neighbour was experiencing DFV, although, a higher
proportion of participants were likely to offer a neutral response when a neighbour was involved. When a
family member or close friend was a victim of DFV, the actions participants were most likely to take
included talking to the victim about the behaviour of the perpetrator and encouraging the victim to
attend a domestic violence support service. When a neighbour was a victim of DFV, most participants
reported they were likely to report the behaviour to police. In all cases, participants reported that their
actions were most likely to be motivated by concern for the safety of the victim and for the victim’s
family.

Participants were asked about their perceptions of DFV in Queensland. Most participants believed that at
least one in five people experience DFV. While participants acknowledged that both men and women can
be victims or perpetrators of DFV, most participants believed that men are likely to be perpetrators and
women are likely to be victims.

Those groups thought to be most vulnerable to DFV included:
 people from low socio-economic backgrounds (n = 718, 90%)

1 The survey approach did not include a deliberate sampling strategy and not all questions were answered by all respondents.
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 people from Indigenous Australian backgrounds (n = 712, 89%)
 people living with a disability (n = 632, 79%)
 people with limited education (n = 621, 78%)
 people from non-English speaking backgrounds (n = 607, 76%)
 people with no education (n = 598, 75%).
Participants were asked to consider a raft of initiatives that could be used to address DFV, and state how
effective they believed each strategy to be. More than half of all participants believed each of the
proposed initiatives is likely to be effective in responding to DFV, although slightly less support was shown
for education programs in schools and offender treatment programs. Appropriate and timely police
responses, increased prosecution for breaches of DVOs, and support services for victims and children
exposed to DFV attracted the most support.

Participants were also asked to indicate who they believed was responsible for supporting someone
affected by DFV. Participants reported that the community, service providers, families and government all
have a role to play.

At the end of the survey, participants were invited to comment further on the issue of DFV. A range of
responses were provided that were subsequently grouped around nine main themes:

 Court processes and sentencing - there is a need to increase penalties for DFV related offences
and to improve the court process.
 DVOs/VIOs - protection orders often go unenforced, are not an adequate measure of protection,
and breaches are not being punished effectively.
 Education and awareness - education and awareness building is an effective prevention
mechanism.
 Gender based responses - gendered violence occurs in all communities and is inclusive of all
identities including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, intersex, and queer.
 Police responses - further education is needed to improve the way police respond to DFV.
 Policies and laws – there is a need to increase the scope of laws around DFV and to make DFV a
criminal offence.
 Support services – There is a need to increase funding for DFV support services.
 Underlying causes of DFV - the underlying causes of DFV include alcohol, drugs and mental illness,
as well as extreme circumstances.
 Miscellaneous - Responses that did not fall into any other themes.

In conclusion, participants to the survey believe that DFV touches the lives of many Queenslanders and
that more can be done across a range of sectors (police, courts service providers, education and
awareness) to improve the response to DFV. Survey participants also identified that everyone in the
community has a role to play in responding to DFV.
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Background
The online survey opened at 12:00am on Sunday 10 August 2014 and closed at 12:00am on
Thursday 4 September 2014.

Promotional activity for the survey focused on leveraging off distribution within Government and NGOs
engaged with Government, with no unpaid or paid advertising utilised.

It is important to note that:
 Administration of the survey did not include a deliberate sampling strategy. Responses should,
therefore, not be considered representative of the Queensland population.
 The Tell the Taskforce survey was not widely publicised amongst the general public. Responses to
the current survey may therefore be more likely to reflect the views of those individuals with a
particular interest in government policy relevant to domestic and family violence (DFV) than
general attitudes among the broader Queensland population.
 A number of participants did not complete all questions in the survey. Response fatigue can
impact on the quality of data participants provide, and may have further limited the
representativeness of the results.
Sample size
A total of 897 participants commenced the survey. Of these, 18 people provided responses to the
demographic questions only. Therefore, only 879 responses were subject to further analysis. Of these,
108 provided only partial responses (i.e., did not respond to every question in the survey). As not all
questions were mandatory all participants were included in further analysis.

It should be noted that 54 (6%) participants were identified as either having come from outside
Queensland (n = 49) 2 or to have entered an incorrect postcode (n = 5). These participants were included
in further analysis as the survey was not specifically concerned with attitudes towards Queensland-
specific responses to DFV but instead explored general attitudes towards DFV, and sought comment and
ideas on a range of responses to DFV. As participants appear to be predominantly drawn from DFV
service providers and individuals with experience of DFV, all responses are considered to make a valuable
contribution to the discussion, regardless of participants’ locations inside or outside Queensland.

2 New South Wales (n = 21), Victoria (n = 13), South Australia (n = 11), Western Australia (n = 4)
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Demographics
Gender and age
The gender and age of participants is reported and compared to the general Queensland population
showing that (see Table 1):

 Females were overrepresented among participants.
 Participants between the ages of 26 to 39 and 40 to 65 were over-represented in the survey.
 No participants were under the age of 18 years.
As a result, the responses presented here largely reflect the views of middle-aged women.

Table 1. Gender and age of participants compared to Queensland population
Age Female Male Total QLD Populationa
N % of N % of N % of N % of
total total total total
Under 18 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 088 24.1%
135
18 to 25 43 6% 8 7% 51 6% 527 148 11.7%
26 to 39 258 34% 22 19% 280 32% 897 581 19.9%
40 to 65 418 55% 73 63% 491 56% 1 478 32.7%
053
Over 65 44 6% 13 11% 57 6% 525 444 11.6%
Total 763 87% 116 13% 879 100% 4 516 100%
361
QLD Populationb 2 184 50.4% 2 148 49.6% 4 332 100%
518 221 739
Notes:
a. Sourced from ABS Catalogue 3201.0 – Population by Age and Sex, 2010 – Table 3. Queensland.
b. Sourced from Office of Economic and Statistical Research – Bulletin: Census 2011: Women in Queensland.
The total percentage may sum to more or less than 100% due to rounding.
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