ALMOST 2700 people were arrested for family violence offences between January and June this year across the Mornington Peninsula and south-east, in a major police blitz targeting some of Melbourne’s most impacted areas.
More than 7500 charges were laid across the peninsula as well as Cardinia, Casey, Frankston and Greater Dandenong.
The strong police focus to start the year included proactive checks on known offenders and victims to increase the chances of family violence being detected. Last financial year the suburbs of the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston, Cardinia, Casey, and Greater Dandenong accounted for 70 per cent of violence-related offences across Victoria.
The Mornington Peninsula recorded 2138 incidents (which was the 13th highest in Victoria), while Frankston recorded 3010, and Greater Dandenong 2613. Casey recorded the highest number of family violence-related offences in Victoria with 5564 incidents.
In the year ending March 2024 across Victoria family violence reported to police increased by three per cent, with almost 96,000 incidents recorded. A police spokesperson said that while increases in family violence offending could partially be attributed to population growth, as well as more victim-survivors feeling confident enough to come forward, police blitzes contribute to further reporting and greater identification of offending that generally occurs behind closed doors.
Mornington Peninsula Inspector Terry Rowlands said that while more family reports may sound disheartening, police were encouraged that it meant more people could access help and police had an opportunity to intervene and prevent further harm. “We also know the amount of proactive work that family violence detectives are undertaking each day, such as knocking on the doors of known perpetrators and victims, is identifying offending that would otherwise go undetected,” he said.
Police are urging anyone who is a victim of family violence, or knows of someone who is, to contact them or a support service. No to Violence runs a men’s referral service which helps men who use violence to change their behaviour. Contact 1300 766 491. Support is available 24 hours through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au. In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
First published in the Mornington News – July 9, 2024
