Port Douglas and Mossman are among Far North Queensland towns with no emergency accommodation for domestic violence victims, according to welfare service providers.

In fact, there’s nowhere for victims to go between Cairns and the Torres Strait, according to the Cairns Housing network. Regional and remote welfare workers are forced to find alternatives, with hotels and motels the only option in some cases, says network chairperson Sharon Large.

"We often find people relocating down to Cairns to be able to access some sort of accommodation and we don't have much here either. The options are quite limited,” she said.

The Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre on Mowbray Street provides crisis support information, support and referral during opening hours. The community’s website lists the phone numbers for a 24-hour ‘DV Connect’ domestic violence service, plus local police, for use after-hours.  

Ms Large said welfare groups are concerned the lack of local available services will mean domestic violence victims won’t reach out for help, and families unable to access crisis accommodation will be forced to stay in unsafe situations. Remote and regional communities are no less likely than bigger cities to experience domestic and family violence.

The news comes during the last week of national Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. In Queensland, the ‘Make the Call’ campaign aims to increase awareness that domestic violence isn’t just physical abuse.

Despite May being the month dedicated to raising awareness, FNQ efforts lacked any impetus.

From 2006-2012, 44 per cent of homicides in Queensland, on average, were related to domestic and family violence, according to a review from the Office of the State Coroner. Women were nearly four times more likely than men to be murdered by their partner.  

Locally, the Port Douglas Community Services Network Inc., presented a half-day workshop about understanding domestic and family violence, and its impacts on victims and workforce productivity on May 3, in conjunction with the Douglas Shire Indigenous Family Support Service, Cairns Regional Council, Mossman Community Centre, Community Health team at the Mossman Multi-Purpose Health Service, and Lifeline Far North Queensland. 

The Port and Mossman Centres, along with Jawunkarra Support Service, will display A4 posters in restrooms of local hotels and bars, to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and provide contact details for support services.

Jo de Riva O'Phelan, Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre's Coordinator, said while emergency accommodation isn't available in Port Douglas or the Far North, it can be readily accessed through the Centre. Ms de Riva O'Phelan said her team work closely with a number of other organisations, including:

• DV Support
• The Mossman Community Centre
• North Queensland Womens Legal Service and Legal Aid
• RAILS (Refugee and Immigration Legal Service)
• QIFVLS (Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service)
• Centrelink social workers

However, services are only accessible during opening hours - from 9am-4pm four days a week, and 9am-1pm on Wednesdays. Outside these hours, the Centre directs callers to DV Connect or Mensline. 

The Port and Mossman Centres also offer free counselling (again, only during opening hours), and can refer to the Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service.