Family groups under stress
More staff needed to deal with violence
GEELONG agencies continue to be run off their feet responding to family violence issues, with one organisation dedicating 15 staff to tackle the problem.
As family violence referrals boom across the region, Bethany Community Support has been forced to expand its workforce to respond to the growing demand.
Family safety executive manager Bernadette McCartney said the agency received more than 2000 referrals for specialist intervention services last year.
Ms McCartney said it “sadly” required 15 people to work on the issue, largely focusing on men’s behavioural change programs.
“I mean, that’s a significant number of people dedicated to work on one particular issue,” she said.
“And that’s working with men to support, assist and encourage them, and point out the choices they’re making to use violence is not OK.”
According to police data, family violence reports in Greater Geelong surged almost 13 per cent between 2014 and this year.
SalvoConnect Barwon network director Lorrinda Hamilton said her organisation was continuing to help a “significant” number of people experiencing family violence.
“We find that people are reporting family violence through our housing entry point and multiple other services,” Ms Hamilton said.
“For us, the most difficult issue is the lack of supply of housing.”
The comments from Ms McCartney and Ms Hamilton were made at a workshop held in Geelong on Friday.
The meeting — organised by prevention group No to Violence — is part of a statewide listening tour of hot spots.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens was at the meeting, which was also attended by Encompass Community Services, Geelong Mood Support Group and Neami STEPMI.
Ms Hamilton said it was important to bring different groups together to discuss ways to reduce the rate of family violence.
“It’s absolutely critical for us to work as a community together, because we all have a responsibility to respond to family violence,” she said.
“It’s a community issue, it’s a gendered issue, and it’s one we all need to raise awareness about, to change attitudes towards violence against women.”
“It’s absolutely critical for us to work as a community together, because we all have a responsibility to respond to family violence.” SALVOCONNEC T BARWON NETWORK DIRECTOR LORRINDA HAMILTON