By NICOLE VALICEK
A NEW police unit dedicated to stamping out family violence in Melton is already seeing great results.
Acting Sergeant Chris Hughes, who leads the Melton Family Support Team, said in the last few months there has been a marked increase in reported family violence incidents.
Sgt Hughes said this was an indication of the public’s confidence in reporting incidents gaining momentum.
“We’re extremely happy that people have the confidence to come to us and report offences and breaches,” Sgt Hughes said.
“The message is getting out to people that there is a commitment against family violence by the State Government and Victoria Police.”
The latest Victoria Police statistics reveal 668 “family incidents” reported within the Melton Police Service Area from July to the end of December last year.
Sgt Hughes noted this was already an increase of 104 per cent on statistics from the 2008/09 financial year.
The statistics also reveal that 268 charges have been laid and 197 intervention orders sought (July to end of December last year) – an increase of 318 per cent and 134 per cent respectively from the 2008/09 financial year.
Sgt Hughes said the team that was only activated a short four months ago is dedicated to overseeing family violence cases and is already working toward their goals.
“Basically we put a number of strategies in place to try and break the cycle of family violence, break the cycle of recidivism and make sure people aren’t further exposed to getting assaulted.”
The latest statistics showed police referred 92 per cent (619 cases) of Melton PSA family violence cases to welfare and support agencies in the second half of last year – a 129 per cent increase since 2008/09 financial year.
“That’s the main reason why we’re here, to try and show victims that we’re here for them and we’re here to make sure that offenders are prosecuted,” Sgt Hughes said.
Women’s Health West Outreach Co-ordinator Jelena Djurdjevic said the organisation’s relationship with the police unit provided better outcomes for women in the community.
Sgt Hughes said officers will keep working with community partners, government agencies and service providers to break the cycle of family violence.
“Hopefully into the future we will have more troops coming in here and we can dedicate more of an effort to perhaps getting a response capability.”
He also urged victims who felt they are not ready to speak to police to reach out to local support agencies.
“Speak to someone about it don’t just sit in silence and allow it to happen.”
