Ash Bolt
Police have charged 139 people as part of an ongoing operation targeting high-risk family violence perpetrators in the Corio area over the summer holiday period.
Corio local police, supported by detectives from Geelong Family Violence Investigation Unit, have been proactively targeting known perpetrators wanted for family violence offending to prevent escalating abuse during the summer holidays.
Police have nabbed 139 alleged family violence offenders since the operation began in November last year.
They have been charged with a range of offences including assaults, criminal damages, threats, and breaches of family violence intervention orders.
Of the 139 alleged offenders, 52 were charged and 87 were charged via summons.
Corio Police’s Sergeant Anne Elliott said family violence investigations were a key focus for police and made up a large portion of daily police work.
Corio Police consistently seeing more than half of their investigations linked to family violence.
“An incredible amount of work has been done by Corio police in locating 139 family violence offenders over the summer holiday period – when, for the past several years, we have seen a spike in family violence offending,” she said.
“Police want victims of family violence to know that while the rest of the community slows down for the holidays, we will continue to ramp up efforts to prevent family violence, protect victims and hold their perpetrators to account.
“We will continue to engage with local family violence support services such Orange Door, Sexual Assault Family Violence Centre, Salvation Army and DIVERSITAT to ensure victims of family violence in our community always have somewhere to turn for help.”
In the period between November 1 and January 18, 234 family violence intervention orders were issued to Corio Police to serve on family violence offenders in the area.
Police have consistently seen a spike in family violence incidents during the summer holiday period, with clear increases on Christmas and New Year’s Day for the past several years.
Support for anyone affected by family violence is available through local services such as Orange Door in Geelong by calling1800 312 820.
Victims can also seek help via safe steps, Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service, by calling 1800 015 188.
