This National Child Protection Week, police are urging the community to understand the seriousness of family violence and the impact it has on children.
Family violence is a crime that occurs among all types of families and affects children in many different ways, with police continuing to respond to a high number of family violence incidents involving children every year across the state.
Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show the number of family violence incidents with a child recorded as present has increased by 33 percent in the past five years.
There were 33,449 family violence incidents with a child recorded as present in the year to March.
Exposure to family violence can have significant long-term impacts on children and youth including poor mental well-being and academic outcomes and behavioural problems.
A Crime Statistics Agency report found 3 out of 4 children exposed to family violence had a future interaction with the justice system within five years as either victims or perpetrators.
Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway said it’s a crime that doesn’t discriminate.
“It continues to be a significant source of harm to the Victorian community, and it’s important to recognise it’s not just confined to couples, it affects children,” she said.
Family violence takes many forms and is not just about physical violence.
It includes coercive and controlling behaviour, including threats, intimidation, isolation, financial control and psychological and sexual abuse.
Perpetrators may not subject a child to these behaviours directly, but this does not lessen the impact of living in that abusive environment.
Ms Callaway said children who witness violence in the home, or see one parent being completely controlled by another, suffer stress and anxiety from the experience.
“We cannot assume that the trauma of family violence is something children just get over eventually, when the facts show the opposite,” she said.
Victoria Police has progressively specialised its response to family violence – in recognition of the risk and complexity that these incidents pose – and is calling on the community to understand the seriousness of the crime and the impact it has on children to help prevent it from occurring.
Ms Callaway said National Child Protection Week is important state-wide.
“It is an important reminder for the community to understand the seriousness of family violence and the impact it has on children specifically – both directly and indirectly – to help prevent it from occurring.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence, please seek help from police or a support service. Police will take action to protect you and your loved ones and make sure this violence stops,” she said.
Police have established an enhanced investigative approach to family violence with the creation of 31 Family Violence Investigation Units (FVIUs), to ensure victim safety and hold perpetrators to account.
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.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence, please seek help from police or a support service.
Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you. Victoria Police is here to support you.
