Our domestic blitz

Andrew Mathieson
DOMESTIC assaults in Geelong have increased
“significantly” as the city prepares to mark an international day opposing violence against women, according to police.
Geelong Police’s state-first family violence unit revealed almost 60 women had reported domestic “incidents” in the past month.
The spike in reports came as the city prepared for White Ribbon Day on November 25.
Family violence unit Leading Senior Constable Brendan Whitefield said Geelong “certainly had its fair share” of physical assaults on women.
“If we had a month where we were hitting 40 reports, that was considered a big month,” he said.
“We were dealing with more than one incident a day of domestic violence whereas in the month just gone we found in the stats that (the Geelong station) attended almost 60 family-violence incidents.”
Snr Const Whitefield said women were the overwhelming victims of family violence in Geelong.
He believed most women were too afraid to report violence within family homes.
“They’re scared to come forward, whether they’re under duress or a threat from their partners or retribution from another party involved.”
Snr Const Whitefield said support agencies and courts generated many reports because they had to notify police of criminal assault complaints.
The Geelong unit had a target of encouraging 10 per cent more victims to report domestic assaults over the next five years.
Snr Const Whitefield said police had identified alcohol as the contributing factor in most domestic assaults in Geelong.
“It’s a huge problem,” he said.
Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault chief executive Barbara Henry said violence against women crossed social boundaries.
“Family violence is in all parts of society. There is absolutely no question about that,” she said.
Ms Henry agreed with police about the main contributing factor.
“Certainly alcohol and also substance abuse contribute to those social situations.”
Mrs Henry said women in need of assistance or counselling should phone the centre on 5222 4318.
The Independent is a supporter of White Ribbon Day 2010.