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A WOMEN’S support group is alarmed by Brimbank’s rising rate of family violence, despite police saying the increase is down to improved levels of reporting.
New police data released last week showed assaults increased almost 10 per cent in 2011, while assaults excluding family violence were up 3.9 per cent.
There were 1432 assault offences recorded, up from 1304 in 2010.
The statistics are calculated based on crimes per 100,000 people.
The latest figures compared crimes recorded in the 12 months to December 31 last year with the same period a year earlier.
Brimbank’s Inspector Mick Grainger said reporting of family violence had increased, which showed improved public confidence in reporting such matters.
But Women’s Health West chief executive Dr Robyn Gregory said the statistics could also reflect a disturbing increase in the rate of violence in Brimbank homes.
“There is evidence to suggest more reporting is occurring, but we don’t actually know for sure that these statistics reflect that,” she said.
“At Women’s Health West we are inundated with calls from women from Brimbank, Melton and Wyndham who are struggling at home and need our services.”
She said difficult economic times could lead to increased rates of violence against women and children, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
“We’re living in a harsh world at the moment and places like Brimbank have higher levels of unemployment and poverty so this can increase the stress on local families,” Dr Gregory said.
“There is clearly not enough services available to people living in these areas and I would like to see more funding to help prevent family violence from occurring.”
As reported by the Weekly last September, a study called for more funding to be directed to services like the Western Centre Against Sexual Assault in Footscray and an increase in resources for police. Author Helen Tachos said there remained a need for better services for victims and perpetrators of family violence.
Inspector Grainger said police continued to focus on violent crime including family violence, robbery and assaults.
Last week’s data also showed residential burglaries increased 58.5 per cent.
Inspector Grainger said robberies and house burglaries remained significant issues across the area.
“We are very, very concerned about the rise in house burglaries and it is difficult to pinpoint the reason for this other than to say there is an increase in this type of offending,” he said.
“There are new homes on the fringes of Brimbank which are attractive to thieves but that’s not all of it.
“Social disadvantage in these areas can also lead to more residential burglaries.”
