“I had no desire to get advice or address their problems; manipulated doctors and psychologists.
“When Baxter concluded that he had completely lost control of Hannah, he killed her and her three children. Baxter understood the extent of the atrocities he had committed, he did not want to live with the denunciation and public punishment he would receive. ”.
Rowan Baxter. Credits: Facebook – Integr8 and CrossFit SMC
Bentley said police missed opportunities to hold Baxter accountable for his actions.
“For example, he was not charged or placed on bail for breach of the order of domestic violence and assault with bodily harm. [10 days before the fatal fire]. Instead, he was given notice to appear [in court]”she said.
Bentley painted a bleak picture of police training in domestic violence, but acknowledged that this was a focus of police service and was improving.
“Since 2017, inadequate training has been given to police officers, given that domestic violence accounts for up to half of all their work,” he said.
“Most front-line police officers who face constant domestic violence … had received an online training program in the last five years.”
Bentley made three key recommendations.
The state government should urgently fund a five-day domestic violence training program for all domestic violence support police officers.
The Queensland Police Service includes in the annual training a mandatory module for all officers dealing with face-to-face domestic violence.
The state government should fund a one-year trial for a police station specializing in domestic violence in Logan or Kirwan districts, which have the most incidents of domestic violence in the state. This should include domestic violence police officers, a domestic violence support worker, a child safety officer, a Department of Housing representative, a Queensland health worker and a lawyer.
The scene on Raven Street in Camp Hill on February 19, 2020. Credit: Toby Crockford
When Bentley once again expressed his condolences to the Clarke family, who were in court, and closed the investigation, his voice faltered and he was visibly upset when he left the courtroom.
Hannah’s parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, said they were happy with the coroner’s findings, but changes were needed in all states.
“Five-day face-to-face training for domestic violence officers: that’s what we’ve been waiting for and needing,” Lloyd said.
“And with the exchange of information, that was one of the things that happened in Hannah’s case: there wasn’t enough information exchange or there wasn’t enough easy access.”
Sue and Lloyd Clarke were named Queensland Australians of the Year in January 2022 as they fight for greater awareness of domestic violence through the Small Steps 4 Hannah Foundation. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Sue Clarke hoped Hannah would be proud of them and her work through her foundation, Small Steps 4 Hannah. She promised to continue the “awkward conversation” they had begun.
“[The recommended specialist domestic violence police station is an] amazing game changer. If women can understand what they can charge people and what risk they run, just all the different services working together, I think it’s just a dream, ”she said.
The $ 3.4 million Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland Police Service’s responses to domestic and family violence, initiated by Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk, is also ongoing.
If you or someone you know needs help or assistance, contact DV Connect at 1800 811 811 or 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or the Brisbane Domestic Violence Service at 07 3217 2544.