The State Opposition appears to have drawn the wrong conclusions about figures for breaches of domestic violence orders, Queensland Centre for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Director Heather Nancarrow said yesterday. . Figures quoted from Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg in The Courier Mail on April 14, indicated the number of breached Domestic Violence Orders increased by 32.5 per cent over the past three years. .

Ms Nancarrow said the unidentified data would represent an increase in the number of reported Domestic Violence Order breaches, not necessarily an increase in breaches. . Furthermore, Mr Springborg did not provide figures on the number of protection orders made for the same period. Although an increase in the number of orders made could account for an increase in the number of breached orders, the rate of breaching might have remained the same, or even decreased. .

“Increases in the reporting of breaches could be the result of a number of factors, including an increase in the number of orders made for the same period; an improved police response; or increased community confidence in the protection order system,” she said. .

“If a breach of a protection order occurs, an effective response involves reporting the breach to the police and police responding appropriately. Therefore it would be inaccurate to say that an increase in reporting indicates that the system is not working.” .

Ms Nancarrow welcomed the Opposition and Government’s stated commitment to improving police responses to domestic violence. .

“This indicates that domestic and family violence is being treated by the Government and Opposition as the serious criminal justice issue that it is. Continued efforts to improve appropriate police responses are commendable.” .

She said further understanding about what has lead to the increase in reporting breaches, might highlight strategies to improve responses across Queensland.