By ALESHA CAPONE
CHILDREN and teenagers account for more than a fifth of clients at a crime victims’ support service located in the West.
The Western Region Health Centre’s Victims Assistance and Counselling Program (VACP) provides a range of services to people who have experienced or witnessed crimes against the person.
This includes all forms of assault, aggravated burglaries, armed robberies, bullying, homicides and family violence.
During the past 12 months more than 1200 people from the western suburbs have accessed the VACP.
A Western Region Health Centre spokeswoman said 23 per cent of the VACP’s clients have been aged below 18.
“They might have been victims themselves or very often witnesses to either family violence or other violent crimes,” she said.
“Children who witness regular acts of violence – such as family violence – have greater emotional and behavioural problems than other children.”
During the latest financial year there were more than 7500 crimes against the person committed in the West, according to Victoria Police.
The VACP offers help to seven municipalities in the West but more than a quarter of their clients across the last year have been Brimbank residents and workers.
Wyndham residents made up 23 per cent of clients, followed by Melton on 13 per cent, Maribyrnong with 11 per cent, Moonee Valley at nine per cent and Hobsons Bay on eight per cent.
The Western Region Health Centre spokeswoman said VACP clients were usually referred from family violence services or police via the Victims of Crime Helpline (1800 819 817).
“The Victims Assistance and Counselling Program assists people who have been injured or felt personally threatened by a crime, those who have witnessed a violent crime and the families of victims,” she said.
The VACP service is based at Footscray and provides services in Werribee and Melton.
Contact VACP on 8398 4178 or counselling@wrhc.com.au for more information.
