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Allegations of a vile culture of misogyny has been unearthed in the Queensland Police Force after a commission of inquiry was recommended by the Sunshine State's women’s safety and justice taskforce.
The four-month inquiry was designed to identify the 'widespread cultural issues' when dealing with domestic violence and women in general in the state's police service.
The Guardian has revealed some of the unpublished submissions made by female police officers that have allegedly been handed over to the inquiry.
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One submission read: "References by male police officers to an area where female detectives sat as 'c**t corner'.
Another submission read: "A male officer questioning 'is this a real rape or is she looking for a free pap smear?'"
A third submission said: "Officers questioning the validity of a domestic violence complaint involving two police officers because the incident was the second allegation and 'you’d think she’d learn the first time'."
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Other submissions included male police officers allegedly deterring women from making formal complaints in domestic violence cases by 'providing unappealing if not terrifying versions of court proceedings'.
Another submission to the inquiry also claimed that some police had given pregnant domestic violence victims unwanted anti-abortion information.
A former senior sergeant spoke to The Guardian to reveal just how ingrained misogynistic attitudes are in the Queensland police service.
The ex-officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the news outlet that female investigators are forced to 'prove they belong' with their male counterparts.
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She added that female officers were often subjected to sexual harassment and discriminatory behaviour.
"The QPS [Queensland police service] has had and still has a multitude of passionate officers who are trained and qualified DFV [domestic and family violence] investigators," her submission said, as per The Guardian.
She added: "However, they are not valued or heard. The work they perform at the coalface is ignored, criticised and devalued daily.
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"It is treated in this manner due to the existence of ingrained cultural misogynistic attitudes towards women such as female victim survivors, female advocates and female officers who predominantly carry out this work."
A Queensland Police spokesperson told the The Guardian that they are committed to the support of domestic and family violence victims and holding their perpetrators to account.
They declined to comment on the leaked submissions.
The women’s safety and justice taskforce recommended the inquiry following the death of Brisbane woman Hannah Clarke and her three children in a horror domestic violence attack in 2020, according to The Guardian.
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Clarke and her children were burned alive by her abusive former partner.
Queensland launched the taskforce following failings by the police for Hannah Clarke and her children and are introducing laws against coercive control.
If you are struggling with domestic or family violence, call White Ribbon Australia for support on 1800 737 732. If you are in immediate danger, call 000 for Police and Ambulance.
Topics: Australia, News, Domestic Abuse
Rachel Lang