By Parker McKenzie
The Yarra Ranges Local Government Area recorded a worrying increase in family incidents in the first nine months of 2022 compared to 2021 despite a decrease in overall criminal incidents being reported.
According to data released by Crime Statistics Agency Victoria on 15 December, there were 2,048 family incidents in the Yarra Ranges from January to September 2022, an 18.8 per cent increase compared to the first nine months of 2021.
A family incident is an “incident attended by Victoria Police where a Victoria Police Risk Assessment and Risk Management Report was completed.” Of those 2,048 incidents, 1,440 of the affected family members were women and 600 were men.
Yarra Ranges Council Director of Communities Jane Price said violence against women continues to be one of the most serious issues in the community.
“Local government has an important role to play in influencing change through the delivery of our programs and services, setting behavioural and cultural standards, and working to change systems and structures that contribute to inequality,” she said.
“Yarra Ranges Council is creating a workplace where women, men, and gender diverse people from all backgrounds have equitable access to resources, power, and opportunities.”
She said preventing violence against women is one of the seven goals of the council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 and the council works in partnership and provides funding for vital organisations like Orange Door, Eastern Legal Community Care and EDVOS.
“In our prevention role, we work with key settings such as schools, early childhood centres and sporting clubs to promote gender equity,” she said.
“We collaborate with community health, State Government, community and local domestic violence services, leading and partnering on programs to promote gender equity.”
Orange Door, a free service for adults, children and young people experiencing or have experienced family violence and for families needing support for children, is listed as the specialist family violence service in Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region on Yarra Ranges Council’s website.
A Family Safety Victoria Spokesperson said Orange Door in Outer Eastern Melbourne provides much-needed family violence and well-being support for families when they need it close to home.
“Victoria is leading the nation with its work to end family violence, with more than $3.7 billion invested since the Royal Commission into Family Violence: more than every other state and territory combined,” the spokesperson said.
“Local residents can access support by phone and email, or face-to-face in Croydon. We’re ensuring that help and support are available across the region no matter where you live.”
The rate of family incidents in the Yarra Ranges was 1,306.2 per 100,000 people, which was below the Victorian average of 1,387.9. Statewide, the statistics showed a decrease in overall family incidents around Victoria, despite the increase in the Yarra Ranges LGA.
Ms Price said some of the previous council projects include e-safety social media defence seminars for women and girls in Yarra Ranges, the Men as Caregivers poster series, Creating a Place for Women in Sport tool, Rest and Rejuvenate spaces for women and the Taking it Step by Step Mentoring Women project.
“Everyone in the community has a role to play in preventing violence against women: by examining our attitudes and behaviours, by treating others with respect and, importantly, by challenging unacceptable behaviour when we see or hear it – online, from friends and family members and from strangers.”
The Orange Door Outer Eastern Melbourne is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. For more information, visit orangedoor.vic.gov.au.
If you or someone you know is at risk of family violence, the following services can be contacted:
EDVOS – 9259 4200.
Orange Door – 1800 271 150.
Eastern Community Legal Centre – 1300 325 200
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – 1800 015 188 (24hrs)
