Alarming increase in family violence

Pressures relating to COVID lockdowns have been identified by police as a key contributor to significant increases in family violence incidents in the latest crime statistics.

Baw Baw police services area was not exempt from the concerning increases in family violence across the state and was alarmingly above the state averages.

Crime Statistics Agency statistics for the 12-month period ending March 2021 released last week showed a 30.8 per cent increase in family violence incidents – driven largely by a 54 per cent increase in breaches of family orders.

The location of the majority of Baw Baw’s crime also reflected family incidents with the home identified as the principal place for crimes and 10 per cent higher than the previous year.

Baw Baw PSA figures were well above state figures which showed an 11.3 per cent increase in family violence related offences.

Baw Baw PSA inspector Alison Crombie said the figures were concerning and alarming, given recent statistics had showed a downward or plateaued trend in family offences.

“COVID has had a significant impact on the statistics.  Family violence was significantly up where we have had people living in close proximity for long periods, home schooling and living with each other 24 hours a day,” she said.

Insp Crombie said the overall increase in family incidents was reflected in increased home-based assaults as well as stalking, harassment and breaches of family orders.

She said another concerning aspect of the latest statistics was a 76 per cent increase in sexual offences, which reflected the overall increase in family violence.

Family violence unit senior constable Christopher Burns said the pressure of COVID restrictions on families, including financial burdens combined with increased alcohol use, had played a significant role in the increased family violence incidents.

He said it had been a challenging time for many victims who felt restrictions made it difficult to leave home.

Sen const Burns said violent behaviour escalated more than usual during the lockdown period so police had to be more pro-active in the way they managed offenders.

He said they worked closely with agencies to assist victims with emergency accommodation.

The number of offences reported across the Baw Baw PSA increased 3.3 per cent, up from 4835 offences to 4996.  Criminal offences in the region have more than doubled in the past 10 years with 2393 offences reported in 2012.

The latest statistics indicated a 35.8 per cent increase in crimes against the person, which Insp Crombie said again reflected incidents of violence in the home.

This was further supported by a 19.5 per cent increase in assaults.

But, with people locked down, Insp Crombie said less movement of people meant property offences decreased by an overall 29.2 per cent including a 36.4 per cent drop in burglaries and 39.2 per cent decrease in thefts.

Another COVID related statistic was seen in the public health and safety offences which was 315, compared to zero in the previous year, all attributed to COVID restriction breaches.

Drug trafficking offences increased 4.2 per cent for the period.