The statistic depicts a disturbing snapshot of abuse from last July to February this year.

It was released by Berry Street outreach service as it launches its new campaign: Ballarat is no place for violence.  

WATCH THE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN VIDEO HERE

The campaign focuses on the harrowing effects abuse has on children and will be unveiled by anti- family violence campaigner Rosie Batty during a visit to Ballarat on Tuesday.

Statistics revealed about a dozen Ballarat children a week are left traumatised by family violence. 

Family violence reports to the Central Highlands Western District police have soared by 8 per cent this year.

Police referrals to Berry Street have risen from 1295 to 1400 from July to February when compared to the same period the previous year. 

Data revealed 99 women and 140 children in the Central Highlands region were removed from dangerous circumstances and rehoused between mid last year and February.  

Berry Street family violence service senior manager Gayle Correnti said the campaign was a response to soaring rates of children being exposed to violence.  

She said the ramifications for children experiencing violence profoundly impacted on their psychical and mental well-being and cognitive development.  

In some cases, victims of violence went on to become victims again in adulthood or may act out destructive behaviour by becoming perpetrators themselves.

“If you have trauma from what has been done to you from a young age, rather than being able to think through how to respond to a situation you just react or act out,” she said.

“We need to be looking through the lens of inter-generational family violence.” 

The campaign pushes for early intervention therapeutic programs for young victims and the development of education modules for traumatised children lagging behind at school. 

 “There are very few services offering impact and trauma programs for a mother and child,” she said. “If we want to to reduce violence we need to be thinking very seriously about the impact on children.”

Research shows violence often intensifies during pregnancy and can impact the physical development of a fetus. 

Studies show infants exposed to violence are also more likely to miss key developmental experiences. Ms Correnti said it was about bringing the issue to a community level.

“These are children walking the streets of Ballarat,” she said.

1800 RESPECT

LIFELINE ON 13 11 14

BERRY STREET ON 5330 5000 

WRISC ON 5333 3666

BALLARAT POLICE FAMILY VIOLENCE TEAM ON 5336 6000

 CASA:  5320 3933 or free call 24 hours 1800 806 292