Family violence, ice statistics soar

By MIKAELA DAY

Incidents of family violence  in Victoria rose by 8.2 per cent in 2014. Figures released from the Crime Statistic Agency showed that police recorded more than 68,000 family violence cases last year.

These statistics are measured as a rate per 100,000 people and show an increase of 70.3 per cent from 2010. 

Police Minister Wade Noonan reported in 2014 that police attended a family violence incident every eight minutes.

"These figures once again show that family violence is the biggest law and order challenge facing Victoria," Mr Noonan said.

The Crime Statistics Agency, established early last year by the previous government, had the stated aim of making crime data is more accessible to the community.

The agency's first quarterly report, releasedin March, showed a 4.3 per cent increase in overall crime, with robbery having the only crime reduction, down by 11.1 per cent.

Family violence incidents also were present in over half of stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour offences, a third of sexual assault offences and almost half of assault offences.

These new crime statistics detailing family violence have been linked with the drug methamphetamine, also known as "ice".

Drug offences increased by 12.9 per cent in 2014, with possession and use equalling three quarters of the offences.

 Ice is a strong stimulant that can be injected or smoked. Connections have been made with the use of ice and its impact on families, including disruption to relationships and aggressive, hostile, violent behaviour is a physiological effect of its use.

The Andrews Labor Government has responded to both of these issues by launching a $40 million Royal Commission into Family Violence and a $45 million Ice Action Plan.

Public health practitioner Professor Nick Crofts has spent many years researching drugs and its impact in communities.

Through his years at Turning Point, an alcohol and drug center for treatment, research and education, Professor Crofts has discovered it is not so much the drug but the people behind it.

“Drugs, whatever they are, might be a trigger or a catalyst or a complication, but by themselves they are rarely the cause of the harm," Prof Crofts said.

"It is the people using them, and the circumstances in which they are being used, interacting with the drug, that cause the problems.”

The Government is hoping that, through funding, the Royal Commission will be able to provide answers and solutions.

For emergencies call 000. 
Domestic Violence Victoria 03 9921 0828.
Family Violence Support Victoria 1800 015 188.
Drug & Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service Victoria 1800 812 804.