THE Queensland Police Service (QPS) have cracked down on Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) members and associates, charging 75 of them with over 300 domestic violence related offences in the last year.
The results follow research that identified a concerning link between OMCGs and domestic and family violence.
QPS conducted research throughout 2022 and identified more than 50 per cent of OMCG members or affiliates had domestic and family violence (DFV) history.
It also showed OMCG members or affiliates were 10 times more likely to be listed as respondents compared to the rest of the Queensland adult population.
The offence of strangulation is a particularly serious offence and lethality indicator found four per cent of all OMCG DFV offences were a strangulation offence, compared to the remainder of the Queensland population which was two per cent.
Over the last five years, the QPS Organised Crime Gangs Group (OCGG) has engaged in gender-based violence prevention strategies, in ending violence against women and girls by OMCG’s associates and members.
Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus from OCGG said the research revealed some truly alarming statistics.
“Domestic violence, whether related to bikies or not, is not acceptable, not now, not ever. There are no excuses,” he said.
“We know bikies tend to be highly territorial and they often use intimidation and violence to exert power and control over their victims, which supports and facilitates their criminal offending.
“Power and control is a pattern of behaviour which keeps domestic and family violence victim survivors locked in the abusive relationship.
“This violence can take place in public, exposing members of the community to an unacceptable risk – it also, unfortunately, extends to their personal relationships.”
The OCGG understand the complexity of the OMCG environment and work tirelessly to prevent and reduce domestic violence and ensure the OMCG members that commit domestic violence are hold accountable for their actions.
The QPS is committed to maximising the safety, protection and wellbeing of women, children and vulnerable people who fear or experience domestic and family violence.
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