161 family violence callouts for Dandenong division in just a week

A man who allegedly strangled and threatened to kill his former partner with a hammer before attempting to set part of his home alight is one of the 161 family violence callouts police in the Dandenong division responded to and foiled in just a week.

Police intelligence tracked how many family violence related matters the division responded to over a seven day period last month.

Officers in the division worked around the clock, responding to every family violence call out as a priority to ensure victim safety and prevent further harm from occurring.

The Dandenong division includes the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia areas.

Of the 161 call outs, 85 were in Casey, 45 in Greater Dandenong and 31 in Cardinia.

It resulted in 95 perpetrators being arrested in the week – with 58 of them charged by police for family violence offences.

Some of those arrested and charged include:

• A 36-year-old man who allegedly strangled and threatened to kill his former partner with a hammer before dousing the front porch of his residence with petrol and attempting to set it alight. The man was arrested by police, with the victim taken to safety. The man was charged with intentionally cause injury, threats to kill, contravention of an intervention order and attempted criminal damage by fire.

• A 35-year-old man who allegedly used a handgun to threaten and rob his former partner and persistently contravened a family violence intervention order. The man was arrested by police, with the victim taken to safety. He’s been charged with 35 offences including armed robbery, persistent contravention of an intervention order, conduct endangering life and ramming of a police vehicle. Police executed a search warrant at the man’s property and seized several handguns and imitation firearms.

• A 28-year-old man who allegedly killed his family dog and persistently contravened a family violence intervention order. The man was arrested by police, with his family taken to safety. He’s been charged with persistent contravention of an intervention order, criminal damage and cruelty to animals.

All three men have been remanded in custody to face court at a later date.

The callouts led to around 290 family violence offences being detected by police in the week.

More than half of the offences (57 per cent) related to perpetrators breaching family violence intervention orders and 26 per cent related to assaults against victims.

Police know that many breaches of intervention orders are committed using technology, with perpetrators using mobile phones and social media to harass, threaten and control victims remotely – extending harm beyond physical proximity and making it harder for families to feel safe.

Other offending included harassment, property damage, rape and non-fatal strangulation.

Six of the perpetrators charged were also recidivist – committing multiple family violence offences against their partners and children over extended periods of time.

These perpetrators are actively monitored by the Dandenong Family Violence Investigation Unit, with police conducting regular proactive visits to enforce intervention order conditions.

The unit has an equal focus on victim-survivors, with police regularly attending properties to check in with affected family members and children.

Victoria Police remains committed to responding to all forms of family violence, holding perpetrators to account and ensuring victim safety. Police work alongside specialist services to support victims with safety planning, accommodation and counselling.

If you, or someone close to you, discloses they are a victim of family violence, please believe them and encourage them to contact police.

Crisis support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.
If someone is in immediate danger, always call Triple Zero (000).

If you are concerned about your own behaviour or the behaviour of someone you know, the Men’s Referral Service (No to Violence) can help – call 1300 766 491.

For more information about what Victoria Police is doing to protect victim‑survivors and children, visit police.vic.gov.au/family‑violence.

Quotes attributable to Dandenong Family Violence Investigation Unit Senior Sergeant Jason Iles:

“This shows the unfortunate reality that family violence remains on the rise and it will not be tolerated by police.

“These perpetrators committing these crimes are on our radar and we are actively monitoring their movements to keep victims safe.

“When we attend these call outs we don’t hesitate to arrest and lay charges if we identify any offences. Whether it’s perpetrators threatening victims or breaching intervention orders – they will be caught and held to account.

“We want our community to know that if you report family violence we will take action and do everything we can to ensure your safety.”

Sarah Vanin

Senior Media Adviser

Media Unit

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