Queensland has introduced new laws to criminalise coercive control, but Queensland Police’s Union President is concerned police won’t be able to enforce them.
“We are really setting people up to fail,” said QPol Union President Ian Leavers, “Not only police up to fail but victims who believe they’ll be protected.”
Under new legislation, the standalone offence of coercive control will carry a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
Today on The Briefing, QPol’s Union President on why this may be difficult to police:
“With coercive control measures, we need at least another 500 police immediately to be able to do that,” Leavers said.
He said domestic violence fatigue is taking a toll on police and makes up 40 per cent of all police work.
“Rehabilitation for offenders. People are not talking about that”, he said.
While people are on remand in prison, rehabilitation must wait on the court’s decision. “They are not entitled to any rehabilitation courses which may be on offer unless they’re sentenced”, he said.
Leavers shares his rehabilitation research and what he thinks should be done on this episode of The Briefing.
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