By Jamie Salter
Police have recorded an increase in family violence incidents over the past year in the City of Casey.
Violent crimes against the person in family homes is up 3.7 per cent in the 12 months to 30 September 2021 in Casey, according to the Crime Statistics Agency.
Casey recorded 952 family violence common assault incidents in 2021.
There were also 1,223 E21 breach of family violence orders in 2021, compared to 1,199 breaches in 2020.
Victorian Shadow Minister for Police Brad Battin said the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to the rise in family violence incidents.
“Locked-down families in Casey and Cardinia are less safe as crime has transferred from the street into the home,” Mr Battin said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said any increase in family violence was incredibly concerning.
“However, it is important to note that the increase seen in Casey is in line with what police saw across the state,” they said.
“This increase would undoubtedly have been impacted by the restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic, however, may also reflect an increased community confidence in reporting to police.”
The Dandenong Family Violence Investigation Unit will continue to actively monitor high-risk perpetrators and check in on victims of family violence, providing them with an opportunity to raise concerns.
“Heading into the Christmas and New Year period, which is traditionally a worrying time for family violence, Victoria Police is retaining its focus on proactively monitoring and engaging with members of the community who are subject to family violence orders in an effort to protect victims and identify breaches,” the spokesperson said.
In Victoria, family violence related offences increased 4.3 per cent to 112,062 offences and violent crimes against the person in family homes rose by 3.7 per cent in 2021.
Crimes against the person offences increased in the last 12 months, up 2.2 per cent to 84,756, however, the the main contributor’s were non-family violence related common assault and serious assault.
Victoria Police will retain its focus on proactively monitoring members of the community who are subject to family violence orders in an effort to protect victims and identify breaches heading into the Christmas and new year period.
