In January alone Mount Isa police arrested 74 people for breaching these orders.

These disturbing statistics from the courts and police, highlight the local impact of a national crisis. 

For the first time the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has revealed the extent of the nation’s family, domestic and sexual violence emergency.

On average, one Australian woman is killed by a current or former partner each week, the report said. 

Partner violence causes more illness, disability and deaths than any other risk factor for women aged 25–44.

Men are not immune to the violence, with one in 16 experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by a cohabiting partner.

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention minister Di Farmer said arrests for domestic violence order breaches in Mount Isa show the great work police are doing holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

“Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, wealth, where they live or cultural background, and this is true of regional and rural areas in Queensland, including Mount Isa,” Ms Farmer said. 

“More people are reporting domestic violence because we have brought the issue out of the shadows and victims are more confident of getting help.

“We established a Mount Isa Domestic Violence High Risk team last year, bringing together police, child safety staff, housing and health staff along with non-government agencies as part of a $2.2m three year trial,” she said. 

The team work together to share information on at-risk victims so the right service can intervene more quickly and reduce danger.

While data from the institute’s report showed women were at greater risk, certain groups were particularly vulnerable, such as Indigenous women, young women and pregnant women.

Indigenous women were 32 times as likely to be hospitalised due to family violence as non-Indigenous women and men.

Family and domestic violence was also a leading cause of homelessness.

The report collated information from more than 20 major data sources.

To shed light on domestic abuse in Mount Isa, a women’s breakfast will be held on March 8. 

The inaugural “Sharing is Caring” morning tea will be held at the QCWA Copper City Mount Isa Hall.

Caroline Cuckson of Women’s Health Queensland Wide said domestic violence, mental health, social isolation and in general women’s health, are challenges women in rural and regional Queensland face. 

“Rural and regional areas have a distinctively unique set of circumstances that can exacerbate social isolation particularly for women in particular. This often leads to poor mental health, and overall a lower quality of life,” Ms Cuckson said. 

“It’s a great opportunity for women to enjoy each other’s company and just talk about what they are going through.

“Often it’s the start of conversations just like this that make the world of difference.”

If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service on 4743 0946.