Family violence concern

Geelong authorities prepare for Christmas surge

AUTHORITIES are preparing for a surge in family violence this festive season.

Crime Statistics Agency data released this week reveals 4315 family violence incidents were recorded in Greater Geelong between July 2020 and June 2021, up from 3993 the year before.

The Surf Coast recorded 295 family violence incidents.

There were 222 family violence-related hospital admissions in Greater Geelong over the same period – the secondonavirus highest figure recorded in Victoria.

The region also recorded 555 sexual assaults over the same period – a rate of 204.8 per 100,000 people.

Twelve hospital admissions in the region were linked to sexual assault.

Bethany Community Support manager of access, support and family safety, Bernadette McCartney, said workers were preparing for a rise in family violence around Christmas.

“We’re always concerned about any potential for increases in incidents of family violence and the Christmas period has traditionally demonstrated an increase in incidents,” she said.

“We expect to see an increase, given that Covid restrictions have relaxed and families come back together, some of them for the first time in quite some time. This scenario has the potential to create conflict, which may result in family violence.”

Ms McCartney said domestic violence was usually characterised as repeat and ongoing behaviour; however, services did see families who reported violence at Christmas but not at other times of the year.

“We expect this is because the holiday season can create stress with families who are not accustomed to spending so much time together,” she said.

Ms McCartney said an increase in people drinking alcohol or taking drugs was a contributing factor, with a rise in violence between siblings or extended families.

She said staff were working with families and known perpetrators to try to prevent violence occurring.

Ms McCartney said the corpandemic had likely played a role in the rise of reported incidents.

Geelong Superintendent Peter Ward said police were focused on curbing family violence.

“Police are continuing to proactively monitor and engage with members of the community who are subject to family violence orders in an effort to protect victims and identify breaches, particularly as people are spending more time at home,” he said.