Queensland’s border shutdown is leading to domestic violence perpetrators increasingly using COVID-related threats and restrictions to coerce, control and restrict the movements of their victims, with domestic violence services across Queensland predicting a surge in calls for help once restrictions ease.
The Queensland Family and Child Commission has called for a more coordinated approach to preventing and responding to abuse in relationships.
After a spate of domestic violence incidents, and calls from the Liberal National Party for offenders to face tougher punishment, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said cultural change would have the biggest impact.
COVID-19 has significantly affected our collective mental health.