Silent crime targeted

A LOCAL family violence support service has applauded the state government’s response towards the findings of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Domestic Violence Service chief executive Jo Sheehan-Paterson said the landmark 2000 page report, released on Wednesday, was “exhaustive and significant” and should achieve real change at a local level. 

Premier Daniel Andrews accepted all of the report’s 227 recommendations, compiled by Commissioner Marcia Neave AO after months of public hearings and nearly 1000 written submissions. 

Ms Sheehan-Paterson said the report spanned all aspects of family violence and put forward solutions for both victims and perpetrators.

Of key significance for the Swan Hill region were recommendations around additional funding for support services and extra emergency accommodation. 

“We have very limited crisis accommodation, particularly in Swan Hill and across the Mallee,” Ms Sheehan-Paterson said. 

“We are accessing motels and caravan parks which is inappropriate but it’s the only option we have. 

“The idea of reviewing the traditional refuge model with communal house and a number of families all in one house [is welcome].”

Safety hubs are to be introduced across Victoria in each of the 17 Department of Health and Human Services regions and Ms Sheehan-Paterson was keen to see how that will pan out in the Mallee.

“I think there will be significant work we will all need to do in each community about how that will look,” she said.

“I think it will be driven around what is already on the ground.”

Ms Sheehan-Paterson said, in her eyes, the incidence of family violence was proliferating in the community, and the report was a critical tool in changing social attitudes towards the often “silent crime.”

“I believe it’s increasing but in conjunction with that there’s a lot more media attention and more people are coming forward and reporting these serious crimes [although] a lot is still hidden behind closed doors.

“It’s very difficult in a small regional area to come forward with fear of everyone knowing what’s going on.

“In our services in Swan Hill and Mildura we certainly put a strong focus on education … making it really clear to young children that this behaviour is not normal, it is a crime.

“I think that is the way forward for us in terms of prevention.”

If you are struggling with domestic violence, call the 24 hour Swan Hill crisis service on 5033 1899.