By Mitchell Clarke
Family violence continues to plague the Cardinia Shire, with a total of 1466 incidents recorded in the last year to March, according to new Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) data.
The concerning upward trend of 18 percent, when compared with data from this time last year, found that women continue to be largely affected, with 1,138 women and 327 men subjected to some form of family violence.
Cardinia Shire residents between the ages of 25 and 34 were most affected, with 431 recorded incidents. More than 365 incidents were linked to the 35 to 44 age category while 251 family members in the 45 to 54 age category experienced violence.
Just under one hundred cases were identified in the under 17’s category, while 125 people over the age of 55 recorded an incident.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the spike in family violence offences, up five percent state-wide, was “not a surprise” due to people being more likely to report it and police taking it ever more seriously
“But we need to ensure women and children are safe in their homes,” she said.
Liberal Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the crime figures were “worrying numbers”, and accused the State Government of being more focused on branch stacking than protecting vulnerable families.
“Cardinia has been working hard over the past few years to help combat family violence within their local community,” Mr Battin said.
“It is an absolute disgrace the Labor Government have been too busy with internal fighting to provide adequate resources in Cardinia to successfully assist in the community’s fight.
“With recent media reports and language of an Andrews Government Minister threatening, abusing and swearing about a female colleague, it is no wonder Daniel Andrews has failed to address this major issue.”
That female colleague, the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Gabrielle Williams, released a statement shortly after the incident saying that “words matter”.
“Violent, misogynistic language perpetuates the attitudes and behaviours that enable a culture of violence against women,” Ms Williams said.
“Whether at home, in the street, at work or in the halls of Parliament, this language is unacceptable – when it does occur, it must be called out.”
A spokesperson for Minister Williams said family violence remained one of the “most pressing law and order issues in the state”.
The State Government is in the process of rolling out the “biggest ever boost” to police numbers, including in Cardinia.
Since 2017, the Dandenong division – which includes Cardinia – has been allocated 187 new police, including 72 new officers in 2019, making it one of the largest deployments in Victoria.
“These latest statistics show that police are absolutely focused on this, with family violence training rolled out across the entirety of the force, state-of-the-art reporting technology introduced and 415 specialist family violence police on the ground,” the government spokesperson said.
“Perpetrators are being held to account more than ever.”
While the damning statistics don’t include the Covid-19 lockdown, authorities have spoken about their concern for a further spike in numbers as families are forced indoors.
“We know for some women, the biggest fear during this pandemic won’t be Coronavirus – it will be the fear they can’t escape a violent partner,” the spokesperson added.
“This is why we’ve delivered more than $40 million for crisis accommodation and specialist services for people suffering or at risk of family violence.”
The funding includes $20 million in short-term accommodation for victims who do not feel safe isolating or recovering from Coronavirus at home.
The further $20.2 million will go towards helping Victorian family violence services meet the expected increase in demand during the pandemic.
