A NEW police taskforce to combat high levels of domestic abuse in Brimbank was launched yesterday.
Police hope the eight-member pilot unit based at Keilor Downs Police station will help win the fight against worrying rates of domestic abuse in the municipality.
Brimbank has among the highest rates of domestic abuse in the state and the highest in the western region.
Recorded incidents of family violence grew by 18 per cent in 2005/2006, which police attribute to increased reporting by victims.
Region 2 Police Assistant Commissioner Sandra Nicholson launched the unit yesterday.
She said the unit would run until October next year and would then be evaluated.
It will collaborate with support agencies including Women’s Health West, with a family violence outreach worker providing support and advocacy to victims.
“This partnership will ensure that those affected by family violence are provided with timely and appropriate support and ultimately hopes to break the cycle of family violence,” Assistant Commissioner Nicholson said.
“Key functions of the unit will be to manage and investigate family violence incidents, and where appropriate, apply for intervention orders, collect evidence and initiate criminal proceedings against the offender,” she said.
“The unit will be dedicated to reducing and preventing family violence and will respond to all calls of this nature in Brimbank, allowing other members to respond to other incidents.”
Assistant Commissioner Nicholson said police were trying to change the perception of domestic abuse as a private family matter outside the reach of the law.
“This is simply not the case. We need to raise awareness across the community that family violence is a crime, it is not to be tolerated and offenders must be brought to justice.”
