Traumatised kids face big challenges as police report spike in family violence Bid to turn lives aro

Alex de Vos
Young victims of family violence will face the challenges of their lives in a new Geelong program to help them overcome their trauma.
Geelong Police and Glastonbury Child and Family Services will put troubled children through three days of activities at a camp in Anglesea, culminating in a “high-ropes challenge” to build self-esteem and relationship skills.
The program follows release of Victoria Police statistics revealing a spike in reports of family violence. Police issued 1083 family violence safety notices between December and April, with reports peaking the day after Valentine’s day.
In March the Independent reported a “significant” rise in domestic assaults across Geelong last year. Police received 294 reports of domestic assault in 12 months compared to 235 for the same time the previous year.
Geelong Police Sergeant Kevin Godfrey, who developed the program concept, said children exposed to domestic violence were more likely to grow up to be criminals or abusive adults.
They were also likely to suffer long-term emotional or psychological trauma and physical illnesses, Sgt Godfrey said.
He labelled the affects “devastating”.
“There are children in Geelong living in environments where family violence occurs and their experiences can manifest into a whole range of problems,” Sgt Godfrey said.
“In 43 per cent of domestic violence cases children are present – it’s frightening.”
Sgt Godfrey said the new program would work on improving self-esteem and helping participants build “meaningful” relationships.
“We’re aiming to break down the barriers between children, young people and the police through active involvement in personal development and adventure-based activities and programs,” Sgt Godfrey said.
“We want children to understand that family violence is unacceptable and that support and interventions are available through local services.”
Sgt Godfrey expected the program to begin in July.
Detective Superintendent Wendy Steendam, from the Crime Department, said the new safety notices were equivalent to a family violence intervention order.
The notices allowed police to “immediately prohibit a perpetrator of violence from contacting, verbally abusing, threatening or assaulting a victim or damaging property,” she said.