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This website discusses domestic and family violence and coercive control.
Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Police if you are in a dangerous or life-threatening situation.
If you don't want to speak to the police you can also call DV Connect on 1800 811 811 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Find other support options
Contacting the police
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call the police on Triple Zero (000).
If you are not in immediate danger, you can report domestic and family violence (DFV) to the police by:
- calling Policelink on 131 444 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
- submitting an online request form
- attending any police station in person
- registering to use SMS messaging if you are deaf, hearing-impaired, or vulnerable.
What happens when I report domestic and family violence to the police?
The police must investigate if they reasonably suspect domestic or family violence (DFV) is occurring or has occurred before they arrive.
To make sure everyone is safe from further harm and to give or arrange support to anyone affected by DFV, police can enter a place, search the premises, and make reasonable enquiries without a search warrant.
When investigating report of DFV, police will conduct a holistic, victim-centric and trauma-informed investigation, which means speaking with all parties involved to determine what has occurred. They may request the name and address of any person, including witnesses, involved in the DFV incident, and this may involve speaking with children.
To identify the person most in need of protection, police will consider the behaviour of each person in the context of the relationship as a whole and will make inquiries about the relationship between the parties involved and any history of domestic violence .
How police can investigate DFV
Police responsibilities
DFV in Queensland is governed by the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (The Act). The Police are also bound to this Act when investigating reports of DFV.
The Act outlines how police must investigate DFV, and the steps they can take to ensure the safety of all parties involved. This may include issuing a domestic violence order (DVO) to the person using violence or taking the person using violence into custody for up to 4 hours (they must apply for a DVO during this time).
If you call the police to report an incident of DFV, the safety of all parties involved will be their main priority.
Refer to Section 100 for a full description of what steps the police can take under the Act.
Entering a premise without a search warrant
Under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, police can enter a premise without a search warrant if they reasonably suspect DFV is occurring or has occurred before they arrive.
Refer to Section 609 to further understand the powers police have in regards to entry, search, detention, arrest, and seizure under the Act.