By Lucy Waldron
Does a decrease in Domestic and Family Violence mean as much if community members are still feeling unsafe in their homes?
Recent data reveals a 15.7 per cent drop in DVOs lodged through the Toowoomba Magistrates Court, with 738 orders filed in 2023-2024 compared to 875 the previous year.
Warwick Police have reiterated their commitment to supporting victims of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
“We will ensure that they are placed in front of the court for the court to decide appropriate penalties in reflection of the community standards,” a Warwick Police spokesperson said.
Warwick Safe Haven, a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to DFV recovery, prevention, and education, has expressed support for the local Queensland Police Service (QPS) efforts.
Bette Bonney, President of Safe Haven, highlighted the positive relationship the committee has maintained with Warwick police over the years, noting their confidence in how DFV issues are managed in the Southern Downs.
A significant development in the fight against DFV has been the appointment of Senior Constable Catherine Lowe as the Domestic and Family Violence Officer for the Warwick Patrol Group.
“Catherine provides personal support for police officers as they work to provide adequate support, along with accurate reports and data around Domestic and Family Violence response,” Ms Bonney said.
But are these efforts enough to make the community feel safe?
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy acknowledged that, despite the decrease in crime rates, more work is needed to address the community’s concerns.
“Even if we had a decrease in crime stats, but the community still felt unsafe, I don’t see that as a success,” he said.
“I take the view that if the community is feeling unsafe in their home, we’ve got more work to do.”
This sentiment is underscored by Queensland police data, which reports 39,407 breaches of domestic violence prevention orders in the state so far this year, following over 61,000 breaches in 2023.
the Queensland Government announced a four-year domestic and family violence strategy in June, aiming to enhance support for those exposed to domestic violence, increase offender accountability, and raise community awareness through various initiatives.
As these efforts continue, the challenge remains to not only reduce DFV incidents but also to ensure that the community feel truly safe in their homes.
