AN increasing number of family violence incidents across the south-west during the past year is heightening police efforts to curb the issue.
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Warrnambool saw a 16.1 per cent increase in family violence incidents between the 2015 and 2016 financial year, while Corangamite Shire recorded a 33.6 per cent increase and Moyne Shire saw a small increase of 0.9 per cent.
Warrnambool local area commander Gary Coombes said police were working hard with other support agencies to address underlying issues and to look for ways to minimise harm and create changes in community perceptions of acceptable behaviour.
“Our major lead on the issue is through the enforcement strategy and we are also heavily involved in the referral process to hopefully change men’s behaviour around family violence,” he said.
Across the state, there was a 10 per cent increase in the number of family incidents recorded between July 2015 to June 2016 compared with the data recorded for the previous year.
Mr Coombes said part of the increase could be explained by more incidents being reported and more offences being classified as family violence.
He said police were still dealing with a lot of domestic violence offending.
“We’d like to see continuing community awareness around the issue and a changing culture of acceptable behaviour towards women,” Mr Coombes said.
“We would be delighted to see people take responsibility for their behaviour and have a think about the respect they give to women.”
The statistics also showed an increase in drug-related crime in the region, particularly in relation to the drug ice.
Mr Coombes said while the community did have a drug problem, substance abuse issues were not an excuse for violent behaviour.
“It would be wrong to say alcohol causes family violence,” Mr Coombes said.
“It is certainly a factor in it, but violence is violence and it’s not acceptable.”
Southern Grampians Shire saw a 48.8 per cent increase in family violence incidents on the previous year, while Glenelg Shire saw a decrease of one per cent.
People experiencing domestic violence should contact the confidential domestic violence counselling service on 1800 737 732 or call 000 in emergencies.
