Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland has called for action to address the alarming number of family violence incidents occurring across the region.
Breaches of family violence orders are the most frequent criminal offence in all six of the local government areas in the Euroa electorate, with many towns having a rate of family violence incidents that is over double the state average.
“Improving the safety of women in our region is a priority that needs addressing urgently,” Ms Cleeland said.
In Benalla, there were nearly 300 offences recorded in the past year, and the family violence rate is nearly double the state average.
In the Mitchell Shire, there were over 700 breaches of family violence orders – nearly double the next highest offence recorded.
There was also a 14 per cent rise in family violence incidents in the last year, and the rate for Mitchell Shire is nearly double the statewide average too.
It’s the same situation in the Strathbogie, Greater Shepparton, Greater Bendigo, and Campaspe local government areas.
Across the entire state, there have been approximately 54,000 breaches of IVOs in the last year. Alongside call outs every 6 minutes and a family violence arrest every 18 minutes, Victoria Police are engaging with 80 people using family violence every day.
“These numbers are showing that we are in the midst of a family violence crisis,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Despite these heartbreaking statistics, Seymour and Benalla do not have dedicated physical points of contact for those experiencing family violence.
“These are towns where family violence incidents outnumber all other criminal offences combined and make up 80 per cent of the local police’s workload.
“When the floods hit Seymour, one of the few crisis accommodations available for women fleeing domestic violence was inundated and had to close for an entire year.
“Victims of family violence had no alternative but to flee to Shepparton, Wangaratta, or Melbourne, out of their community and away from family, support and routine.
“All the while, the perpetrator remained in the community. For these women, leaving can be just as dangerous as staying.”
Ms Cleeland said last week’s budget does not instil much confidence when it comes to improving the situation, with cuts being made to child protection, family violence service delivery, and women’s policy.
“‘No to Violence”, a family violence not-for-profit has already said the lack of support in this budget was a “missed opportunity”, and that “this Budget failed to deliver”.
“Our community doesn’t want matching earrings and colour coded outfits, we need genuine support and funding to address the issue,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We need bail reform – something that was once again raised with this Government recently.
“We need support networks, we need dedicated local crisis locations, and we need to be heard.”
