Victim survivors of domestic and family violence across Queensland will have access to safe spaces within police stations.
The state police service has established safe spaces in every station across the state as a commitment to victim-centric and trauma-informed practices.
These are private, designated and secure areas within stations for all community members to discuss DFV and other traumatic matters.
Assistant Commissioner of the DFV and Vulnerable Persons Command, Christopher Jory said these areas will give DFV victim-survivors more comfort and support in reporting their experience to police.
“The introduction of private, safe and secure spaces in every Queensland police station marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing compassionate and effective support to DFV victim-survivors,” he said.
"By prioritising their wellbeing and providing a safe and welcoming environment, we empower survivors to come forward and seek the assistance and support they need to break the cycle of abuse and find safety.
Newly sworn-in Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski has cited domestic and family violence reforms as a key priority of his tenure at the helm.
"That is absolutely critical and will remain as a priority for myself as the Commissioner and for our organisation," Mr Gollschewski said when announced as the new top cop in April.
The Queensland Police Service deals with about 140,000 calls for domestic and family violence service per year and is tracking towards 190,000 in 2024.
A recent Queensland crime report showed breach of domestic violence orders have increased by 27.2 per cent from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023.
Over a nine-year period, breach of domestic violence orders have drastically increased by 255.2 per since 2013-2014, which police have cited due to increased reporting.
"It is an enormous challenge for the organisation and we must do more," Mr Gollschewski said,
"And I'm committed to seeing that we have better systems, better legislation, that means that we have safer victims and more effective police."
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