Longbottom, Marlene, and Mills, Kyly (2025) Exploring family and domestic violence through hospital admission data in regional and remote Queensland, Australia. Current Issues in Criminal Justice. (In Press)

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Abstract

This study investigates hospital admission rates for family and domestic violence among Indigenous people in regional and remote Queensland, Australia, from 2013-2022. A key finding is the disproportionately high rate of hospital admissions for Indigenous women (60.09%—83.92% in some regions) compared to Indigenous men. Hospitalisations for non-Indigenous women differed by location and that of percentage to that of Indigenous women, with 48.34%—63.02% in the southeastern and southern regions of Queensland. The research acknowledges the limitations of using aggregate data, which may obscure individual experiences, and the challenges of accurately identifying Indigenous individuals in health records. Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and severity of family and domestic violence impacting Indigenous women, and emphasises the need for locally contextualised and community-driven responses that address systemic issues. The findings underscore the critical need for integrated, cross-sectional responses that connect healthcare, social services, justice systems, and community-led initiatives to ensure long-term safety and healing. The study emphasises the necessity of culturally grounded and trauma informed strategies and the importance of acknowledging the unique challenges faced by Indigenous women in regional and remote communities, including limited access to crisis support and services.

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