By: Kym Agius
NORTH QUEENSLAND, AU – A north Queensland man has been charged under the state’s new domestic violence laws over the alleged strangulation of a 20-year-old woman.
The man was arrested at a Gordonvale home on Tuesday afternoon, after the area was cordoned off and an “emergent situation” declared over reports he may have been armed.
He surrendered without incident a short time later after negotiating with officers.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of breaching a domestic violence order, strangulation associated with domestic violence, and assault occasioning bodily harm.
The man had allegedly assaulted a 20-year-old woman, believed to be his partner or ex-partner on Sunday, causing injuries to her face and arm.
The matter was heard briefly in the Cairns Magistrates Court, and adjourned until November 7.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said there had been just one other strangulation charge which had been made public since new laws were passed in April.
Non-fatal strangulation and suffocation became a separate offence, carrying a seven-year penalty.
The new offence was one of the recommendations of the Special Taskforce on Domestic Violence report Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic Violence in Queensland.
Domestic violence is increasing in the state — the number of reported incidents rose from 58,000 in 2011-12 to 66,000 in 2013-14, equating to more than 180 incidents every day.
Source article: New strangulation laws used as man charged with alleged assault of woman