Police have strengthened their response to family violence in the Central Highlands with the establishment of a satellite office at Bacchus Marsh.
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The Central Highlands Family Violence Investigation Unit (CHFVIU), based in Ballarat, is a dedicated unit responsible for the investigation and coordination of all family violence related incidents across the region.
Set up in 2018 in response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, investigators have direct oversight of all reported family violence incidents in the City of Ballarat, Hepburn, Pyrenees, Golden Plains and Moorabool shires. They assist the police members investigating and responding to family violence incidents across the division and work closely with support services.
With increasing population growth - especially around Bacchus Marsh, Bannockburn, Ballan and Daylesford - comes increasing family violence incidents.
Part of a pilot, CHFVIU Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Coxall told The Courier the satellite office had been set up as part of a trial to strengthen the family violence response in the Moorabool police service area.
One Detective Sergeant and four investigators set up in the town earlier this week.
"It is an expansion of family violence investigation unit services in support of investigations, frontline police and service agencies," he said.
It is an expansion of family violence investigation unit services in support of investigations, frontline police and service agencies
- Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Coxall
The members are providing specialised family violence support to frontline police working in the area as well as continuing to work closely with family violence investigators based in Ballarat.
With the CHFVIU covering a huge area, Detective Senior Sergeant Coxall added that the benefit of the satellite office meant easier access for both police as well as victim-survivors.
The pilot will run for six months, but Detective Senior Sergeant Coxall said it was hoped it would create support for a more permanent staffing model in the Moorabool area.
In an emergency, always call 000. Reports of family violence can be made at your local police station.
Affected by this story? Help is available by phoning 1800 RESPECT.
The Orange Door in Central Highlands can be contacted on 1800 219 819 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday - except public holidays. For more information, visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au.
