Property damage among top family violence offences

Property damage has ranked among the top ways family violence perpetrators are committing harm against victim-survivors.

Breaches of orders and assaults remain the most prolific forms of family violence.

Victoria Police warns perpetrators won’t get away with the behaviour, issuing new Crime Statistics Agency data to raise awareness this Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

The data shows around 9500 cases of property damage linked to family violence are reported each year.

Damaging or destroying property is another form of violence and control used by perpetrators against victims.

Police continue to put in place protections including intervention orders to ensure the safety of victims and prevent further harm.

Breaches of family violence intervention orders has increased 16 per cent in the past five years.

Police understand significant numbers of breaches are committed using technology, with offenders misusing mobile phones and social media to target victims remotely.

Teams of specialist Family Violence Investigation Units work around-the-clock to target family violence perpetrators and identify breaches of orders.

The Family Violence Command Taskforce also supports these teams and will track down perpetrators who attempt to hide from police or go interstate to try and avoid justice.

The data also shows assaults committed against family violence victim-survivors remains a concern.

There are around 16,000 reports a year.

Police will continue to work tirelessly to ensure perpetrators are held to account for their crimes this Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month – conducting proactive patrols and checks.

Victoria Police is committed to responding to all forms of family violence as well as keeping victim-survivors safe and holding perpetrators to account.

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

Police not only provide safety for victims who make a report, they also refer them to support services, so they get the assistance they need.

Victoria Police works closely with specialist family violence support services, including Safe Steps and No to Violence.

Support for those affected by family violence is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by phoning 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au.

Safe Steps also has Web Chat available on weekdays from 9am – Midnight, which can be accessed by visiting safesteps.org.au/chat.

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s behaviour – No to Violence runs a Men’s Referral Service which helps men who use violence to change their behaviour and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.

In an emergency phone Triple-0 (000). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.

For more information on what Victoria Police is doing to protect victim-survivors of family violence go to police.vic.gov.au/family-violence.

Quotes attributable to Family Violence Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Belinda Jones:

“We can’t stress enough how seriously we take family violence because victims have a right to feel safe and be safe.

“This new data shows completely unacceptable rates of family violence including assaults, property damage and breaches of intervention orders that are put in place to protect victim-survivors.

“While perpetrators might think they’re going to get away with their crimes – we want them to know they won’t. Their actions and behaviours will not be tolerated and needs to stop.

“Perpetrators should know they are always visible to police and will be found and held to account to ensure the safety of victim-survivors.”

Sarah Vanin

Senior Media Adviser

Media Unit

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