Domestic and family violence an important topic at high tea
Detective Sergeant Alina Bell speaks at the ALF Cape York House high tea on the impacts of family and domestic violence.
Detective Sergeant Alina Bell from the Cairns Child Protection and Investigation Unit was recently invited to the AFL Cape York House annual high tea as guest speaker for the Queensland Police Service.
Her topic was Domestic and Family Violence and she certainly had a captive audience with the 140 strong crowd.
Detective Sergeant Bell spoke about the impact that domestic and family violence has not only on individuals but the community as a whole.
Detective Sergeant Bell drew on her past policing career and how she was thrown into a new world of dealing with domestic violence related jobs as a first year constable aged at just 21 years old.
She went on to reveal the staggering statistic that one in three Australian women have experienced domestic violence since the age of 15.
Between 2016 and 2017 there were 486 private domestic violence applications and 2,361 police domestic violence applications in Far North Queensland.
The saddest statistic being that in 2016 there were 18 deaths attributed to domestic violence.
Detective Sergeant Bell further spoke about how to fight back against Domestic and Family Violence.
“Firstly we need to be aware of the signs of an abusive relationship,” said Detective Sergeant Bell.
“An abusive relationship can be experienced in many different ways including fear and intimidation, psychological and emotional abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse.
“As a community we need to speak up for those who can’t and we also need to provide support to victims where possible and help them seek further support from professionals.”
The take home message of the day was to speak out and stand up against domestic and family violence.
For further information about Domestic and Family Violence click here
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Cairns Crime Alert
