Domestic violence jump

Pandemic helps drive rising demand for help

THE rate of family violence across greater Geelong rose 7 per cent in 12 months as authorities brace for another spike in referrals.

New Crime Statistics Agency data shows police were called to 429.1 family violence incidents per 100,000 population in the October-December quarter of 2020, up from 398.6 during the same period in 2019.

The total number of family violence recorded incidents also increased by 10 per cent during the same period, from 1032 to 1136.

Call-outs spiked across the Surf Coast too, with the rate of family violence per 100,000 population increasing 6.8 per cent.

Across greater Geelong last year, family violence incidents peaked in August with 155.2 incidents per 100,000, followed by 154.9 in December.

The Surf Coast also recorded a surge amid the coronavirus lockdown in August, with 110.8 incidences per 100,000 recorded, up from just 35 in July.

Bethany Community Support’s manager of access and housing, Betti Chappelle, said the service had seen a surge in demand for support.

She said the agency provided women and children escaping family violence with vouchers to buy food, petrol and clothing. Applications for these vouchers have doubled in the past year.

“Anecdotally, we’ve seen a significant increase in the rate of women and children becoming homeless and needing crisis support over the past year,” Ms Chappelle said.

“When woman and children come to us, it’s often because they’re fleeing family violence.”

Ms Chappelle said the coronavirus pandemic had “exacerbated family violence”, with lockdown leaving victims feeling even more trapped.

“The impact of COVID and declining mental health of people has continued to impact people, even though we no longer face many restrictions on our movements,” she said.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Alex Day said officers were concerned about family violence across the state.

She said victims of family violence living in regional areas experienced unique challenges compared with those in metropolitan Melbourne, including isolation that could impact their confidence in accessing help.

“We know that family violence doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone, and that family violence can take many forms,” Ms Day said.

“In addition to physical violence, it can also take the form of coercive and controlling behaviour, financial abuse, emotional abuse and elder abuse.

“Police respond to these forms of family violence in regional and rural Victoria, and across the state.”