By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SEXUAL offences and abductions rates across Cardinia Shire have escalated in the past 12 months, according to police statistics.
From April 2014 until March 2015, police recorded a 171 per cent increase in recorded abductions and related offences – 19 incidents this year compared with seven in the previous year.
The rate of abductions and related offences recorded by police in Cardinia Shire are at a five-year high, with a maximum of eight offences recorded per year since April 2010.
According to police, abductions are generally committed for the purpose of “committing a sexual act”.
However, related offences include unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping and child stealing – charges which are believed to have bumped up the stats, according to Cardinia Inspector Shane Smith.
“The increase in abductions is primarily related to increases in family violence incidents, for which reporting is encouraged,” he said.
Insp Smith suggested some of the incidents may be historical.
During the same 12-month period, sexual assault jumped 54 per cent, up 59 reported incidents from the year prior.
Like the recorded abduction and related offences, Insp Smith said a number of reported incidents happened years ago but were only reported to police within the last 12-month period.
“The passing of time does not, however, lessen the impact on the victims which is why all reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Because victims are confident in the police response to their reports, we expect to see these increases in reporting,” he said.
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour offences recorded in the recent 12 month period dropped by 27 per cent, from 79 incidents last year to 51 between April 2014 and March this year.
Insp Smith said these charges were generally related to family violence incidents and a drop in these offences may be attributed to better policing and service availability for victims.
“Any reduction is often a direct result of the efforts of police and partner agencies … we have a particular focus on supporting victims, while using all legislative outcomes to address recidivists offenders.”
