The tough stance comes as data from the Crime Statistics Agency shows the number of family violence incidents reported to Warrnambool police has almost doubled from 2012 to 2016. There were 727 reports of family violence in 2016 compared with 434 in 2012.

Across the south-west, on average, police responded to five reports of family violence a day last year, with 2079 in total.

Warrnambool police Inspector Paul Marshall said officers were making a concerted effort to reach vulnerable members of the community.

He said police were also working with indigenous members of the community to demonstrate their commitment to cultural sensitivity and respect.

“We want to see increased reporting, then we can get in early and help families get the support services they need and prevent the violence escalating and it becoming recidivist behaviour,” he said.

Inspector Marshall said he had been a police officer for over 20 years and the change in approach from police was enormous. “I’ve had 25 years in the force and our attitudes have changed drastically,” he said. “It’s a social problem which causes enormous community harm.”

Inspector Marshall urged anyone experiencing family violence, including controlling behavior and financial abuse to contact police. “We have a dedicated team here that can help,” he said.

In the Corangamite Shire there were 197 family violence reports to police last year compared with 116 in 2012. The Glenelg Shire had an increase from 233 in 2012 to 312 in 2016.

Moyne Shire recorded a rise in family violence incidents to police from 82 in 2012 to 116 in 2016. In Southern Grampians there were 183 reports in 2012 compared with 389 in 2016. Colac Otway Shire had an increase of 213 in 2012 to 338 in 2016. According to Domestic Violence Victoria, harassment, stalking, withholding money and deliberately isolating someone from their friends and family are examples of the types of behaviour that occur in family violence.