IT SEEMS the message that family violence is not acceptable is finally getting through in Ballarat, with a significant drop in reported cases in the regional police division over the past year.
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While figures for the last financial year are yet to be finalised, Ballarat’s top policeman said evidence suggested there had been a 15 per cent decrease in the number of reported family violence cases in the Ballarat police division.
Superintendent Andrew Allen said a combination of policing initiatives, collaboration with welfare and service organisations and a saturation of education programs in the community helped to contribute to the drop in reported cases.
“When I first came to Ballarat six years ago, family violence was peaking at 54 per cent (of all the assaults reported in the Ballarat police division),” Superintendent Allen said.
In fact, at that time, Ballarat had the second highest figure for the state and the issue was one of the top priorities for the Ballarat.
The number of reported cases was now well below 50 per cent of all assaults in the Ballarat division.
A couple of significant contributors to the recent decrease in reported family violence cases are the introduction of the Violence Against Women and Children Strategy and the establishment of the Family Violence Unit in Ballarat, which has now extended to Bacchus Marsh.
Since the Family Violence Unit was formed in Ballarat, the number of personnel involved has been expanded to a sergeant and six police members, with an adviser.
“(In Ballarat) there is a consolidated approach too," Superintendent Allen said.
As part of the work by Ballarat’s Family Violence Unit, a priority has been follow-up 48-hour visits to recidivist offenders and repeat victims, which Superintendent Allen said was showing positive results.
Another initiative recently launched in Ballarat was the Koori Family Violence Police Protocols project, a partnership between Victoria Police, the Department of Justice, the Department of Human Services and the Aboriginal community, aimed at strengthening police response to incidents of family violence.
He said renewed awareness and police and service organisation initiatives had created an upsurge in confidence to report incidents of family violence in recent years.
“It’s a fair enough estimate that this multiple, holistic approach is giving victims the confidence to report family violence. Yes, we have seen a reduction, but we need to continue with our efforts and maintain a standard of getting the message across,” Superintendent Allen said.
“There are some (in the community) who don't understand what family violence is, because they are immune to it. In some areas this is still a hidden crime and there are still people who are unable to break from the (family violence) cycle.
As a community, we must work hard to help and support these people.”
Family violence in Ballarat will remain a high priority, while Superintendent Allen remains in his position.
“We will try to throw all the available resources into this area, where we can. As a community, we can’t afford to stand on our laurels."
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