By Tyler Wright
Domestic and family violence services are on standby over the Christmas and New Year break, after Victoria Police attended 8,388 family incidences in December 2021 – 11 per cent above the monthly average for the year.
On New Year’s Day in 2022, there were 424 family incidents – an 80 per cent increase from the year prior.
The Eastern Community Legal Centre, which provides legal advice and representation to both victim survivors and alleged perpetrators in its duty lawyer services at the Ringwood Magistrates Court, provided over 100 services in relation to family and domestic violence in December 2022, according to ECLC’S Director of Legal Services and Principal Lawyer Belinda Lo.
“It is ECLC’s experience that Family violence unfortunately continues throughout the year, however there are certain times of the year when cases can rise. The holiday period is often a time of pressure for families where existing tensions can be exacerbated due to the expectations that the holiday season brings about, especially when child changeover is involved,” Ms Lo said.
“Family violence is caused by one person attempting to exert power and control over another (or over the family as a whole) and this sadly is not uncommon during this time. The social and financial pressures that the holiday season brings can add to tensions if they already exist,” she said.
ECLC saw family violence matters from Mooroolbark, the Yarra Valley, Montrose, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Mount Evelyn, Upwey-Tecoma, Wandin, Seville, Belgrave and Selby in December.
In response to the increase in family violence incidents over the holiday period, Peak Australian body No To Violence – which specialises in effective evidence-informed engagement with men – is launching its Safer Summer campaign to help partners make better choices over the summer break.
“If a family is under pressure, and if there’s already been some abuse or violence going on, then Christmas New Year, the holiday periods generally become become heightened, and things can escalate very, very quickly,” No To Violence CEO Jacqui Watt said.
“We recognise it’s a really dangerous time for families, particularly if they’re already living with domestic and family violence, and we’re very keen to make sure that people know that there is a service available for people who might be using violence and who want to make a different choice and find a different way of not harming their loved ones and their family.”
Men can call the Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491, which invites them to consider their behaviour and seek meaningful change, with the aim to reducing repeated incidents of family domestic violence.
“We recognise that it takes a lot of courage to pick up the phone, or to make that web chat connection with us, and we work with the person as they present to try to understand what’s going on for them, what are the underlying issues? Do they want to have more than just a chat? Would they like access to other services?,” Ms Watt said.
Ms Watt said 60 women are killed by their current or former partner every year in Australia; a “chilling” statistic.
“We want to stop that but we also want to stop people getting into that pattern, where the violence is escalating and escalating and escalating, and for women out there who are listening to know that there are services out there for them as well… triple zero as the crisis service, but there’s also Safe steps in Victoria… bearing in mind that actually leaving can often be the most dangerous time,” she said.
“It’s about all of us getting in there earlier. Getting in there more effectively. It’s about all of us calling out our mates, or our contacts or when we see things in the street, calling things out and saying ‘hey, that’s not okay,’ and promote and respect for women and for children, and for people from queer communities.
“Abuse and violence should not be tolerated in a civilised society.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, you can contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.
