Repeat dating abuse offenders could face up to two years in jail as Queensland’s domestic violence laws are set to include dating couples.

An increased range of people in personal relationships will be protected by the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 1989 from March 10.

Queensland Centre for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Director Heather Nancarrow said only the Criminal code currently protected those in dating relationships. She said new changes also supported those unable to simply end a relationship.

She said protection orders could be made where there was emotional or verbal abuse, even though it may not constitute a crime.

“The civil domestic violence legislation aims to protect from future acts of violence where there is an on-going relationship, by restricting the behaviour of the person named as the respondent,” she said.

“The Criminal Code basically punishes past behaviour. Where a criminal assault has been committed, the civil protection order law should be used in conjunction with charges under the criminal law.” “While protection orders are made under civil law by a magistrate, breaking a condition of an order is a criminal offence, regardless of the condition breached.” “In most cases of dating violence and abuse the best solution is to end the relationship immediately and pursue criminal charges if there is evidence of assault, including sexual assault or stalking.” “The new amendments recognise that some relationships involve bonds that cannot simply be broken because of the degree to which the lives of the individuals are enmeshed.” She said Magistrates need to be satisfied enmeshment exists before a dating abuse protection order can be made.

Currently the Act relates to married couple, de facto same or opposite sex couples and biological parents of a child.

The inclusion of dating violence will bring Queensland law in line with domestic violence legislation in most Australian States and Territories. Breaches under new legislation attract a maximum one year penalty for first breaches or two years for repeat offenders should two or more offences occur in three-years.