FAMILY violence cases being heard in south-west courts are increasing by the hundreds each year.
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More than 5000 family violence and personal safety cases were heard in south-west Barwon courts in the last year, covering Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton, Colac and Geelong.
The figures included in the Magistrates Court of Victoria annual report show the number has skyrocketed from 3639 in 2009/10 to 5098 in the last year.
The overall criminal caseload through the region’s courts has also increased from 7666 last year to 8416 this year.
The Coalition has announced it will spend an extra $150 million to prevent violence against women and children, including $41 million on a prevention campaign, trials of GPS monitoring for repeat and high risk offenders and expanded crisis accommodation.
Labor has promised it will hold a royal commission into family violence if it wins the election.
Last week Parliament passed new laws which allow police to issue family violence safety notices.
Previously only the courts were able to issue notices during work days.
“Police can now act on the spot to protect victims whenever and wherever family violence occurs,” Attorney-General Robert Clark said.