DOMESTIC violence rates continue to increase in and around Ballarat as anti-violence awareness campaigns and community scrutiny make it more likely victims and bystanders will take action against perpetrators.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Crime Statistics Agency figures revealed a 20 per cent increase in family violence reports from Ballarat over the past five years, and rises of up to 126 per cent in surrounding council areas.
Experts said the increase was the result of greater awareness, more willingness to report and, sadly, the ongoing violence that occurs in homes and relationships across the state.
“We know through research that family violence is an under-reported crime,” said Inspector Bruce Thomas of Ballarat Police.
“Because of this we hope to continue to see an increase in the number of incidents reported to police. Over the past five years we have seen an increase in the rates of reporting of family violence incidents, which we believe is partially due to increased confidence in police responses to family violence.
“An increase in community awareness and understanding that family violence is a crime has also likely influenced this increase.”
CAFS family violence intervention program coordinator Bob Maika said bystanders were less likely to consider domestic violence a private matter and more likely to report their concerns.
“Once upon a time if you were a neighbour or bystander, people were reluctant to become involved. People aren’t necessarily sitting on their hands these days, they are reporting it.”
The past five years of Victoria Police domestic violence reports were released in response to a recommendation from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence that a public Victorian Family Violence Database be established.
The statistics show rural and regional locations have higher rates of family violence than metro areas, with Latrobe in the east and Mildura in the north recording the state’s highest figures.
“The statistics tell us that the further out from metropolitan regions you go, the incidence rate is higher,” Mr Maika said.
“There are a whole lot of factors and, while not an excuse for violence, there are contributing factors like unemployment and the isolation of being in country areas and small towns.”
Insp Thomas said family violence impacted many in the community. “We all have a role to play in changing the attitudes that create a culture where family violence is trivialised and even encouraged in some instances.”