Radical push to create a register for domestic violence offenders with the same conditions as serial paedophiles after a series of horror murders and attacks on women and children
- Offenders would undergo police checks and limitations on where they can live
- Other ideas included adding a new offence, ‘commit domestic violence’
- A standalone ‘coercive control’ offence was also proposed by the taskforce
Domestic violence offenders could be placed on a register under the same conditions as rapists, following a series of horrific murders and attacks on women and children in Queensland.
The suggestion was one of 13 put forward in a discussion paper by the Queensland Women’s Safety and Justice on Thursday.
If implemented, domestic violence offenders would be subject to police checks, limitations on where they can live and work, and strict bans on travel and social media – the same as serial sex offenders.
The register would not be available to the public but would allow police to keep track of where offenders who are allowed in the community are living.
Hannah Clarke (pictured) and her three children were doused in petrol and set alight by their controlling father in Brisbane
Other major ideas in the discussion paper included adding a new offence named ‘commit domestic violence’ to the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2012, and creating a standalone ‘coercive control’ offence.
Coercive control is a strategic form of ongoing oppression that works to frighten the victim into submission.
The discussion paper also proposed a new ‘cruelty’ offence, which would be based on the existing ‘torture’ offence and carries a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.
The proposals are a bid to keep Queensland families safe after a series of murders and attacks on women and children between 2019 and 2021.
Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson (pictured, second left) died after she was allegedly set on fire by her estranged husband in April
In February 2020 Hannah Clarke and her three children were doused in petrol and set alight by their controlling father in Brisbane.
In February 2021 Doreen Langham’s burnt body was found in her townhouse in Logan, near Brisbane – hours after she called police for help.
Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson died after she was allegedly set on fire by her estranged husband in April, while her three children were in the house.
Her ex-husband Brian Earl Johnston – an ex-corporal in the US military – has been charged with her murder and breaching a domestic violence order.
Pictured: Doreen Langham and her ex-partner Gary Hely. Ms Langham’s burnt remains were found in her townhouse
A former Court of Appeal judge, who is leading the taskforce, hopes the discussion paper will generate feedback from the community.
‘We want to hear from victims and survivors of domestic violence,’ she said.
‘Particularly those who have suffered coercive control and acknowledge the courage it takes to share these difficult experiences.’
The taskforce has called for feedback submissions by the end of July, before a report is submitted to Parliament in October.
Recommendations will be presented to the government in March 2022.
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