Incidents of family violence spiked in Ballarat in the last three months of last year, new data reveals.
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After a stark increase in recorded incidents in May, Crime Statistics Agency data reveals the number dropped from June to September amid increased restrictions and the state's second lengthy lockdown.
From September until December, the number of recorded incidents increased again. While not quite as high as the peak of 227.9 incidents per 100,000 population in Ballarat in May, 198.3 incidents were recorded in December.
There were similar trends across the region. Golden Plains recorded increases in incidents in June and July and in December, while there were spikes in incidents in March, June, October and December in Hepburn.
An increase was recorded in Moorabool in October and November, while there was a spike in incidents in Pyrenees in March and again from August until October.
Victoria Police has recorded year-on-year increases in recorded family incidents for the past three years, with this trend continuing during 2020.
The number of incidents was higher throughout all of 2020 than 2019, but there were spikes across the state in June (15.3 per cent higher than 2019) and October (16.1 per cent higher than 2019).
According to the CSA, this suggests increases of family violence reports as lockdowns began to ease.
"While our data suggests the number of incidents recorded and services provided was higher throughout 2020 compared with 2019, significant spikes in police-recorded incidents occurred as restrictions eased, emphasising the importance of considering potential barriers to reporting faced by victim survivors when lockdown measures are in place," CSA Chief Statistician, Fiona Dowsley, said.
A police spokesperson said the force remained concerned about family violence across the state.
"We know that victims of family violence living in regional areas of Victoria experience unique challenges compared to those living in metropolitan Victoria. This can include increased isolation, which can impact victims' confidence in reaching out for support," they said.
But the increasing number of incidents in Ballarat highlighted "increased community confidence to report these serious crimes to police".
"It also demonstrates that police act and respond to these incidents.
"We will continue to work hard to ensure victims feel more comfortable in coming forward to report incidents to police.
Our message is that police will respond to any report of family violence - whether from the victim directly, from a friend, family member or other concerned person on their behalf.
"Our message is that police will respond to any report of family violence - whether from the victim directly, from a friend, family member or other concerned person on their behalf."
Meanwhile, family and sexual violence related ambulance callouts were similarly higher during every month of 2020 compared with 2019, but November and December actually saw decreases of 13.7 per cent and 20.9 per cent respectively.
The closures of Victorian courts through restriction periods were associated with lower numbers of finalised Family Violence Intervention Orders and increases in the number of Interim Orders issued against usual trends.
The use of family violence and victim-survivor support services was mixed during the last three months of 2020.
While Kids Helpline, Victims of Crime Helpline and Victoria Legal Aid legal advice services recorded an increased number of services compared with the same period in 2019, many other services recorded decreases.
- Need help? Phone 1800 RESPECT, the Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault, in Sebastopol, on 5320 3933, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292. Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
