News
25 July, 2024
Neighbour nightmare
A Moreton Bay resident is calling attention to the issue of violence against women, outside of family and relationships, after being harassed, abused and even assaulted by her agistment neighbours for over a year.
Within a year her neighbours allegedly filed over 70 complaints against her to various agencies, including council, RSPCA, police and the fire brigade.
“They would report that the property was overgrown or I was abusing my animals, and every time the people would come out and apologise to me for the inconvenience because the reports were always unfounded,” she said.
The harassment began relatively small, with the neighbours allegedly yelling at her over the fence and filming her whenever she was on the property.
Over time it escalated, with the neighbours allegedly starting a hate campaign against her on social media, posting photos and videos of her, calling her names and accusing her of a variety of inappropriate actions.
“They were cyberbullying me and trying to turn the town against me,” she said.
“I had friends and people from work offering help and support because everyone who knows me, knows what they said wasn’t true.
“There is just intimidation the entire time and I’m just in a constant state of anxiety now.”
The resident also began noticing behaviour changes in her animals, with them acting more skittish and afraid of people, with one of her young ponies having suddenly passed overnight.
The constant abuse and harassment came to a head a few months ago, when one of the neighbours allegedly physically assaulted her on the property.
“They have torn my absolute world apart,” she said.
“I don’t like anyone anymore because I’ve just gone numb.”
She has contacted police multiple times over the past year, including after the alleged assault, claiming most of the time their response has been to fi le a Peace and Good Behaviour Order.
The resident said she has been traumatised by the constant bullying and harassment and is speaking out to bring awareness to the issue of violence against women outside of intimate relationships.
“When you’re in a DV situation there are a lot of support systems in place to help and that’s great, but I haven’t been able to get any official help because it’s not considered a real threat until I’m actually hurt,” she said.
“What they have been doing to me is mental and physical abuse and they get away with it.”
A Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson said “action has been commenced” where investigations identified evidence sufficient to support criminal proceedings.
“The QPS has thoroughly investigated several incidents involving the individual referenced, which is part of an ongoing neighbourhood dispute,” they said.
“Several matters remain under investigation as officers work through versions and witness statements.”
The spokesperson added that QPS will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of all parties involved, taking enforcement action where evidence supports it.
Centre Against Domestic Abuse Moreton Bay region CEO, Holly Brennan, said the centre can’t provide much comment on the issue due to their core work being domestic and family violence related, rather than neighbourhood disputes, but confirmed women are most often the victims of violence.
“There are many sources that speak to women experiencing higher levels of violence directed at them from the community, family, and partners, than those who identify as men,” she said
If you or anyone you know needs help, phone police on 131 444, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
DV support and counselling is available from the following agencies: DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
13YARN: 13 92 76
