In only 18 months, Constable Jessie McBean, who is stationed in Redcliffe, a suburb north of Brisbane, has attended so many domestic violence incidents, she has lost track of the exact number. However, there is one particular experience she says she will never forget.
Speaking to The Courier Mail, Constable McBean recounted the harrowing call for help.
“It had been a long weekend. On the Tuesday morning a lady hadn’t turned up for work.
“She had managed to get an email out to a colleague and all it said was ‘help’.
“We went around to the home for a welfare check.
“We knocked on the door and a man opened it. He was calm as anything. He said the woman wasn’t at home, that she had gone to the shops.
“I could see into the house and saw her head pop out from behind a door.
“She was beaten.
“Inside the house there were knives everywhere, she had been held captive for three days, beaten and raped constantly.”
In Australia, one in six women has been a victim of domestic violence statistics show. In October this year, Brisbane will host a summit aimed at tackling domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact 1800 Respect (1800 737 732)