By NATALIE GALLENTI
VIOLENCE against women continues to rise in the City of Melton with figures from Women’s Health West revealing it has one of the highest report rates in Melbourne’s West.
WHW data revealed 632 calls reporting incidents of domestic violence were made by Melton residents in 2011-12 financial year.
A total of 4896 calls were made across the West, with Wyndham and Brimbank the only areas to have higher report rates than Melton.
The majority of cases involved women and their current or former partners, WHW’s family violence services manager Jacky Tucker said.
Ms Tucker said there were a range of avenues available for those requiring assistance including outreach support, private rental assistance and safe-at-home initiatives.
She added sometimes victims just need a reassuring phone call to gain support.
“I think 10 years ago people weren’t making these reports…but now police are acknowledging it and responding in many different ways,” she said.
Melton Police Inspector Mario Fiorentino said the rise in report rates was due to a range of issues, including a growing population and an increase in different cultural groups moving into the area.
Inspector Fiorentino said the increase was not an indication that more incidents of violence were occurring but that more women were speaking out.
He said with initiatives like a dedicated family violence unit, police are finally getting the message across that violence at home is a crime.
“We’re telling people you don’t have to live with family violence… but we’re never going to have a definitive figure,” Inspector Fiorentino said.
He said the most positive result of a devoted unit was the rise in court orders protecting women.
Inspector Fiorentino said Melton has one of the highest success rates across the state in court issued orders and one of the highest numbers of police initiated orders.
He said the challenge is to stop repeat offenders.
“We want to see one-off visits from police. We don’t want repeat visits, if we’re going to the same house 10 times, then we’re not doing our job properly.”
Melton City Council recently welcomed the announcement of $600,000 over three years to fund a collaborative project to help prevent violence against women and their children in the western region.
To escape family violence contact Women’s Health West on 9689 9588 or the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service on 1800 015 188. If you are in immediate danger call the police on Triple Zero (000).
