Unit targets family violence

By Sarah Schwager
A NEW unit aimed at combating the high number of domestic violence incidents in Casey has started up at Cranbourne Police Station.
The Casey Family Violence Unit, to be staffed by seven Casey police members, was launched last week to reduce the alarming rates of family violence in the area, especially in Cranbourne.
Casey Police Service area manager Inspector Bob Hill said there was a demonstrated need for the establishment of a dedicated family violence unit based in Cranbourne to break the cycle of family violence in the City of Casey.
Cranbourne has long been reported as the domestic violence capital of Casey, but family violence unit member Cranbourne Acting Sergeant Rod Maroney said it was a problem across the municipality.
Police figures show that last year Casey recorded more than 1700 incidents of family violence, with that figure set to grow to more than 2000 incidents this year in line with the rapidly increasing population.
“Cranbourne has the worst domestic violence statistics in Casey,” Acting Sgt Maroney said.
“And there are certainly many more cases that still go unreported.
“But it is a problem across the whole area, not just Cranbourne, and it is ever increasing as more and more families move in.”
WAYSS Domestic Violence Crisis Service Casey Cardinia branch area manager Kerry Fleming welcomed the new family violence unit, saying it would help provide an earlier response to family violence incidents.
“This is a rapidly growing area and the domestic violence figures are keeping pace with the growth,” Ms Fleming said.
“(The unit) is much-needed. There is an increase in family violence incidents across the board.
“We are now also seeing a high number of referrals because police are doing the right thing and families are becoming more aware that family violence is a crime and should not be hidden.”
The unit is the third of its kind in the state, with other family violence units in Frankston and Brimbank.
Ms Fleming said tackling family violence early on could help stop the cycle of violence, with some women trapped for years and years.
“It’s not only women but children who are horrendously affected,” she said.
Ms Fleming said the partnership between support agencies and the police would help get the message out that family violence was not acceptable.
The Victoria Police Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence protocols and legislation, introduced in August 2004 and updated in July 2006, made it mandatory for police to respond to and take action on any family violence reported to them.
Ms Fleming said since the formal protocol, known as the fax-back early intervention program, began, latest figures showed WAYSS had received 1000 referrals, with 90 per cent of the women having no former contact with the agency.
Acting Sgt Maroney said the family violence unit would not only provide expert officers to deal with domestic violence incidents, but also stopped regular police being tied up from other emergencies.
Police at the Casey Family Violence Unit will provide referrals to support agencies for all persons involved in family violence incidents.
The unit operates seven days a week from 4pm to midnight.
Victims of family violence are encouraged to come into the Cranbourne Police Station at any time or call the station on 5991 0600, or the emergency line 000, for help.