A top Sunshine Coast policewoman has spoken about the domestic violence crisis on the Sunshine Coast and hinterland including the intense pressure on her colleagues and the overwhelming and sometimes devastating scenes they confront.

Senior Sergeant Kate Teasdale, Officer in Charge Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit told a Candlelight Ceremony in Maleny’s Tesch Park last week of the impact that recent “horrific” Domestic and Family Violence events had on the community and the police service.

“I, along with my colleagues, stand together with you and share in your frustration, anger, disbelief and utter disgust at each of these tragic events and murmur the same words you do also ... ‘No. Not again’,” Snr Sgt Teasdale said.

“Our communities are justifiably sick of this preventable aspect of our world which causes significant harm to victim survivors and so many others caught in the wider web.”

Snr Sgt Teasdale said Queensland Police were taking major steps to prevent domestic and family violence. She quoted Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus who recently said “the most dangerous place in Australia for many isn’t in dark alley ways, or on flooded Queensland roads — it’s in their own homes. This is where we all have the right to feel completely safe, but sadly not everyone feels this.  This is not OK.”

Snr Sgt Teasdale said domestic and family violence was the most complex area of policing she had worked in. “It is often unreported or underreported and it places some of our community members in particularly difficult circumstances, because it exists in secret.

“Some acts of domestic and family violence involve physical violence – but many do not.  Some involve intersections with other social issues including drugs, alcohol and homelessness – but many do not. Some acts are committed over a protracted period of time – but many are not.  Some victim survivors recognise themselves to be victims of domestic and family violence – but many do not. Some offenders may be suspected by others to be perpetrating domestic and family violence – but many are not.  Many of the relationships involve children, who quickly become children at risk, but many do not.  Some victim survivors simply want to end the relationship and escape the violence – but many do not.”

Snr Sgt Teasdale said Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll had refocused and strengthened Queensland’s collective fight against domestic and family violence.  “Commissioner Carroll is challenging us and inspiring us to prevent, disrupt, respond to and investigate each and every incident of domestic and family violence – and we are fully committed to this challenge.

“Your police service has recently established a new Domestic and Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Command. This is a major step on the road to defeating this enduring social issue.This Command is dedicated solely to our prevention and response strategies and tactics around DFV.  This is significant.”

Snr Sgt Teasdale pledged to continue to work collaboratively with agency partners to fight domestic and family violence in every form and keep victims and children safe.

“I am in awe of our first response police who at all times of the day and night, attend highly emotive and often dangerous domestic incidents and take all steps necessary to protect victims and children from further harm.

“We know there is no quick fix to this insidious and complex issue that continues to plague our communities and the very freedoms that every person is entitled to.  But we also know that we can’t simply arrest our way out of this problem.  If it were that simple, we would have overcome it many years ago.  The problem that we face as a community is not simple, and neither is the solution.

“The theme of DFV Prevention month is – ‘we all play our part’. I can’t think of a better way to sum up the challenges we together face in overcoming this insidious problem. But it also sums up our collective opportunity.”

“We know that the support of the community in addressing domestic and family violence is absolutely critical.  Together as a community, including your police service, we must focus on changing behaviours, attitudes and cultures towards DFV.”

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