The government has appointed former Governor-General Quentin Bryce to lead a domestic violence taskforce to investigate why the prevalence of domestic violence in Queensland is on the rise.

Last year, the number of reported incidents grew to 64,000 across the state, from 58,000 reports the year before.  That works out to about 175 reports a day.

And that figure would just be scratching at the surface of the issue, Tania Signal, a senior lecturer in psychology at the Central Queensland University and researcher into domestic violence, said.

“We know that kids that grow up within violent homes are much more likely to engage in violence later on,” she said.

“Now that is not a guarantee because some kids do not go on to repeat those patterns.

“But if you grow up and that is how you see adults solving their problems - and unfortunately domestic violence is under reported, so the prevalence rates we are seeing are the tip of the iceberg, so for most kids they see domestic violence and there are no consequences.

“So very few cases go to the police, very few cases end up in court, so there is not a great deal of consequence for perpetrators for domestic violence, so then the children grow up and they learn that is a way of getting things done.

“So when they are in a situation where things start getting pressured at home or pressured outside of the home, they can fall back into those patterns.”

Dr Signal said triggers for domestic violence incidents – which do not always involve physical violence – range from external pressures, such as a loss of income, to environmental and those embedded in society, such as how women are portrayed in mediums such as pornography and other media.

Addressing those issues is one part of the solution.  Ensuring those who are being abused, which is still predominately women, although Dr Signal said the prevalence of women assaulting male partners is growing, have somewhere to go to once they leave, is another.

“If you are in a relationship where the abuser is the only one earning money, leaving that situation is all but impossible, particularly if you have kids,” she said.

“The refuges and the places that are available for women to be able to escape to tend to be over-crowded. If you are in a regional or rural area, everyone will know what is going on, so it is making sure that you fund those services so there is a chance to leave.

“A lot of situations, animals can become a pawn within that situation, so the abuser will threaten to kill the animal if the partner leaves.

“Now domestic refuges generally can’t take pets. That is another barrier and any barriers which are put in the way, from a process point of view, or just being able to get out, make it much less likely they will leave. And the longer they stay, the more the kid’s witness.”

And when it comes to support services in Queensland, Dr Signal said there was not enough, particularly in the regions.

“We need to be aware of the prevalence rates in more regional areas,” she said.

“You might have a range of different support services in the main town, particularly in the south-east corner, but out here in central Queensland and out further west, they get few and further between. And then you are talking small towns where people know everybody and it gets harder and harder to get assistance.”

Federal shadow minister for women, Senator Claire Moore said that was one area where the Queensland government may have to go head-to-head with its federal counterpart.

“If the Premier is serious about this, he should also challenge Prime Minister Tony Abbott about deep budget cuts to Legal Aid Commissions that provide vital assistance on domestic violence matters,” she said, while also commending Mr Newman’s decision to create a taskforce and appoint Ms Bryce.

The state opposition said the government could act to address some of the issues surrounding domestic violence immediately, by supporting its bill which seeks to increase penalties for offenders who breach domestic violence order and give all victims’ assistance, no matter the form of violence or intimidation which was suffered.

Labor’s women spokeswoman, Desley Scott said the legislation, which was introduced as a private member’s bill in May, sent the “clear message” that domestic violence was “unacceptable”.

Premier Campbell Newman said the government would consider whatever the taskforce puts forward.