Victoria Police has unveiled an operation to tackle family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operation Ribbon, will involve members of Victoria Police’s dedicated Family Violence Investigation Unit reach out to Victorians who they know are at risk of family violence.
The operation was launched last week amid concerns that the restrictions in place because of COVID-19 may make it harder for victims to reach out for help.
Officers will check on the wellbeing of families across the state, as well as identifying and following up with known family violence perpetrators to make sure they’re complying with any conditions placed on them by the courts or family violence management plans.
Brimbank is no stranger to the scourge – incidents of family violence rose 5.7 per cent in the municipality for the year ending December 2019, according to the Crime Statistics Agency.
A total of 2904 incidents were recorded across Brimbank, in 2168 incidents, women were the victim.
Women aged between 25-35 were the most affected, with 730 incidents, while women aged 35-44 were also highly represented with 635 incidents.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said it was vital police continued to focus on the problem.
“Family violence doesn’t take a break while we work to slow the spread of coronavirus – that’s why police are out there every day, checking on family violence victims and perpetrators,” she said.
The operation has already seen police conduct 106 compliance checks on high-risk perpetrators and speak to 241 victims across the state since it started.
The Victorian government recently announced a $40.2 million investment in crisis accommodation and specialist services for people suffering or at risk of family violence during the coronavirus pandemic.
