PEOPLE living in fear of domestic violence are just a phone call away from help.
It’s not just physical, but can be sexual, emotional, financial or psychological, according to the Mallee Domestic Violence Service unit in Mildura.
Reports of family violence continue to soar in Sunraysia, with MDVS statistics revealing 204 people received family violence counselling and crisis support in December and 177 last month.
This compares to 185 in December 2010 and 138 in January.
Statewide, Victoria Police revealed a 30 per cent spike in incidents over the holiday season – 4700 reported assaults compared to 3600 reported during the same period in 2011.
MDVS operations manager Matt Wilkes said he expected the number of domestic violence reports to increase this month.
“School holidays are on, the stress of Christmas, financial pressures and the perpetrator is usually home on holidays, so we usually pick up numbers in February and March,” he said.
Family violence was not necessarily constricted to physical violence.
“It is any form of violence within the home within a family unit,” he said.
“It can happen anywhere, such as the supermarket, and can come in the form of deprivation – not allowing someone to go out and do stuff – jealousy is a big factor, too.
“Unlike the cliches, it’s not about a husband coming from work and not seeing dinner on the table,” Mr Wilkes said.
“Domestic violence has a lot to do with learnt behaviour, mental health issues and alcohol.
“Some people just do it and don’t see anything wrong with their behaviour.
“If you don’t allow your partner to go to the bank, or have a card, or if you don’t let your partner go out for a night – have a good hard think about what you are doing, because you are depriving someone of their own liberty.
“Keeping someone a prisoner in their own home can sometimes be worse than physical violence.”
Mr Wilkes urged people to come forward if they felt they were victims of domestic violence, regardless of the extent.
“Statistically, perpetrators are male, but it doesn’t mean that males can’t be victims, too,” he said.
“We have a large number of children as clients who have been affected.
“No matter how small it is, if someone feels they are being hard done by a partner, or relative or family member, then come and see us.”
Inspector Simon Clemence of Mildura Police said domestic violence could manifest itself in many forms.
“I think there is a perception that family violence is only between spouses – it can often be between children or relatives,” he said.
“There are often family tensions over the Christmas period, especially with alcohol and, in some cases, drug use added to the mix.
“At Christmas, you often get people coming together who haven’t seen each other for a while, and there are often family issues that have been bubbling away in the background and these come to the surface.
“Police will take strong action in response to domestic violence.
“If you are a victim of family violence, call 000 and police will take action to resolve the problem.”
If you, or someone you know, needs help, the Mallee Sexual Assault Centre can be contacted 24 hours a day on 5025 5400
This article appeared in Thursday’s Sunraysia Daily 09/02/2012.
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