Qld government denies blocking report into response to domestic violence

The Queensland government has refuted claims that it blocked the public release of a critical report detailing systemic failures in addressing domestic and family violence (DFV).

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While some individuals encountered empathetic and effective practitioners, most described experiences of institutional structures that were inaccessible, retraumatising, and placed the burden of safety and advocacy on victim-survivors themselves.

The report, developed by a working group including individuals with lived experience, was particularly critical of police responses. It described a system "marked by fragmentation, inconsistency, and significant procedural and cultural barriers." The document highlighted that while some practitioners were empathetic, most victims encountered institutional structures that were "inaccessible, retraumatising, and placed the burden of safety and advocacy on victim-survivors themselves."

Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Amanda Camm stated the report was released to external agencies in May as promised to begin reform work. However, Shadow Minister Shannon Fentiman accused the minister of keeping the report secret and failing victims, suggesting it was leaked by survivors who wanted the truth to emerge.

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The report was released exactly as was promised and intended to external agencies in May, so they could begin work on delivering reforms to ensure more women are safer sooner.

The report also noted inconsistent police practices across locations, often depending on individual officer attitudes rather than consistent operational approaches. It called for an independent reporting model to hold police accountable, a recommendation echoed by the state's corruption watchdog in 2023 with no subsequent action.

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It was kept a secret because Minister Amanda Camm wanted to keep it a secret, and it had to be leaked by victim survivors themselves because they wanted to get the truth out there.

Another key concern raised was the onus placed on victims to relocate, forcing them to "uproot their lives" and move away from support networks to escape violent situations.

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Practices often depended on individual officer attitudes rather than consistent operational approaches.