By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
SAFE havens for victims of family violence will be made available in Casey.
The State Government in partnership with 16 community housing organisations will buy and lease properties around Victoria.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the planned acquisition of homes in the City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong and the Cardinia Shire.
Houses will also be leased in Casey and Dandenong and are set to be move in ready by 30 June next year.
All up, 300 homes will be opened up to women and children escaping family violence in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
A statement from Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley said the first wave of homes were about to be leased under the $50 million Rapid Housing Assistance program, a part of the State Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The program will see 124 properties leased and the acquisition of 184 homes.
As Casey continues to rank as one of the state’s worst areas for family violence offending, the emergency relief housing could be in high demand.
In charge of the Casey Family Violence Unit (CFVU), Sergeant Ian Lane said the CFVU deals with more than 4500 family violence reports every year.
“That’s way too many for one small unit to be able to look at,” he said.
“The CFVU is the largest of all family violence units in the state – no other has a sergeant and nine staff members and none of them have 10 people attached to them.
“Casey has been acknowledged for its family violence issues, that’s why resources are allocated as best they can be.”
Recent crime statistics showed a rise of 9.2 per cent on a per capita basis in reports of family violence in Casey.
But recidivist offending could be playing a huge role in the climbing statistics.
Sgt Lane said his unit specialised in the area of repeat offenders.
“My unit identifies repeat offenders and it’s our job to make sure that they’ve been arrested and charged with the appropriate offences, and that intervention orders are served.
“And that we’ve done as much as we can form a legal perspective to ensure victim safety,” Sgt Lane said.
Minister Foley said some of the properties had already been leased.
“We expect the first homes to be purchased toward the end of the year,” Mr Foley said.
“This is crucial support for members of our community who are forced to flee their own homes. It’s exciting to see this come to fruition, achieving real bricks and mortar results.”
