The latest Victoria Police crime statistics show family violence incidents in the City of Whittlesea had decreased 11.1 per cent for the year ending March 2023, when compared to the same time last year.
For the year ending March 2023, 2708 incidents were reported to police, compared to 3047 in 2022.
However a Victoria Police spokesperson said the statistics should be looked at with caution.
“While it is pleasing to see offences such as family violence related assaults decreased in Whittlesea, we are always cautious when looking at these statistics as we know this type of offending happens behind close doors and often goes unreported,” the spokesperson said.
There were 2144 females and 561 males affected family members. Those aged 25 to 34 were the most affected group with 714 persons, closely followed by people aged 35 to 44, with 713.
People aged 45 to 54 sat at 452, while there were 376 aged over 55, 283 aged 18 to 24 and 145 aged zero to 17.
“Family violence continues to be a significant source of harm to the community with police continuing to respond to a high number of family violence criminal incidents every year,” the spokesperson said.
“No one should ever be made to feel unsafe. If someone in the community feels they are at risk of being involved in a family violence incident or believe that someone you know is, seek help from police or a support service.
“Police not only provide safety for victims who make a report, they also refer them to support services, so they get the assistance they need.
“When someone is in immediate danger, always call triple zero.”
There were 209 family violence serious assault incidents and 558 family violence related common assault incidents reported.
Family violence related stalking increased from 66 to 71 and incidents of family violence harassment and private nuisance increased from 98 to 144.
There were 162 incidents of family violence related threatening behaviour, a decrease from the 183 reported last year.
There were 1445 breach of family violence orders.
“We have established an investigative approach to family violence with the establishment of Family Violence Investigation Units, which are made up of dedicated detectives and intelligence practitioners,” the spokesperson said.
“The statistics show we are continuing to apprehend offenders for breaching family violence orders and intervention orders, which is indicative of the proactive work of our detectives who are out every day, knocking on doors and ensuring known offenders are complying with their orders.
“If they are caught offending or breaching an order, police will have absolutely no hesitation in bringing them before a court.
“Victoria Police has come a long way in developing its responses to these crimes, raising community awareness and challenging attitudes supporting violence, providing safety to victim’s and referring them to support services so they get the assistance they need.”
