BY NATALIE GALLENTI
RESIDENTS in the Keilor District urgently need new facilities to cope with the increase in family violence according to a report commissioned by Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins.
The new report investigated family violence in terms of service provision for victims, children’s services, police, perpetrator services, courts and legal services, councils and hospitals in the Keilor electorate which includes Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Hillside, Keilor North, Taylors Hill, Taylors Lakes, Sydenham and parts of Caroline Springs and Keilor.
“The cost of family violence is enormous,” Ms Hutchins said.
“On the individual level the psychological, physical, economic, social impacts are sometimes life changing and often passed onto the next generation.
“For our society, the costs are calculated at billions of dollars per year.”
The report estimated that there are 740 incidents of family violence per 100,000 population that are reported to police, but many more that go undetected.
Ms Hutchins said more interpreters working at Keilor Downs Police Station may lead to more residents reporting domestic violence.
“Many incidents occur after hours and at weekends; however interpreters are not available during these times, which means delays in receiving statements from victims.”
“We want more people reporting family violence.”
She also called for increased funding to Women’s Health West and West Centre Against Sexual Assault.
Ms Hutchins said there needed to be new programs for families at risk along with restorative program’s for perpetrators.
The Keilor MP said she was shocked to attend Sunshine Magistrates’ Court and see the enormous amounts of Apprehended Violence Orders by adult parents and adult children.
“The residents of the Keilor electorate urgently need new facilities and services to provide support to a growing community.
“The level of support services in the West is comparable to rural areas, for an area which is 21kms from the CBD this is unacceptable.”
