This isn’t a topic I particularly wanted to post about, but it’s an issue that has become an out-of-control epidemic—not only here in Queensland but across our entire country. It is not only a violent crime but also a national shame. The situation has reached a point where, if every perpetrator of aggravated domestic assault were found guilty and sentenced accordingly, we would likely need several new prisons to house them.

These offenders must be kept off the streets and away from their families, who too often endure the ongoing cycle of violence these individuals repeatedly inflict. The sad reality is that when many of these psychopaths (because that is what they are), who harm their partners and children, are eventually convicted of their serial crimes and are finally sent to prison, they are often placed alongside other repeat offenders, where they end up comparing notes and finding sympathetic shoulders to cry on.

All too often, they continue on in their lives or leave prison if they have been caught & convicted, with an even bigger chip on their shoulder, blaming their partners for their predicament and seeking retribution against the very people they have harmed—those whom, in their own deluded minds, they hold responsible for their imprisonment.

I regularly read media reports and social media posts from people complaining that police aren’t responding quickly enough to other crimes—such as property break-ins, minor car accidents, vehicle theft, or road offences like speeding and drink- or drug-driving.

However, there are legitimate reasons why police sometimes can’t attend these incidents as promptly as people expect.

Since domestic violence records began being kept, we as a society have reached a disturbing reality: in Queensland alone, police receive a domestic violence report every three minutes. Yes, you read that correctly—every three minutes.

Take a moment to consider the 000 operators who handle these distressing calls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They must pass each call to police (& sadly, paramedics), who have to prioritize these life-threatening situations over less urgent matters. Of course, if your home has been broken into and your possessions stolen, you naturally want the police to respond immediately. But officers must often choose between investigating a burglary or rushing to protect someone who is being attacked by a violent partner—a decision that can mean the difference between life and death.

This isn’t to say that police dismiss other crimes or delay attending them indefinitely. Rather, saving a woman or child from serious harm must—and does—take precedence.

So, the next time you wonder why the police aren’t patrolling a dangerous stretch of road for reckless drivers who could cause a vehicle incident, or issuing fines for minor offenses, take a moment to consider this: those same officers are probably responding to a domestic violence incident, working desperately to prevent another tragedy.

It’s a sad reality that most of us probably know a family member, workmate, neighbor, friend, or acquaintance who has been, or currently is, a perpetrator or a victim. Yet, many people choose to turn away and look in the other direction.

Domestic Violence has many different forms – Physical, Emotional, Financial, Sexual, Social, Verbal, Spiritual, Elder or Child abuse.

Ask yourself this question: would you be prepared to intervene and perhaps save someone’s life or prevent serious injury, or would you simply look the other way?