POLICE are performing more frequent checks on people they say are “a high risk of being the victim of further family violence offending” during the coronavirus pandemic.
Operation Ribbon will see detectives from family violence investigation units ramp up checks to homes to help reduce “the anticipated increase of family violence incidents during this time and beyond,” a police statement read.
As part of the operation, compliance checks will be carried out on perpetrators.
Victoria Police announced on 21 April that they had conducted 347 checks statewide, including 106 compliance checks on “high-risk perpetrators”. 44 family violence offences were detected during those checks, including breaches of intervention order and assault.
There have been 13 people charged and remanded. 11 people were also arrested and will appear in court at a later date.
Figures from the Crime Statistics Agency revealed that there were nearly 2500 family violence incidents reported in the Frankston municipality last year.
The rate of family violence is high in Frankston compared to the state average. In 2019 the family incident rate per 100,000 people in Frankston was 1730, much higher than the statewide average of 1282.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said “we recognise this is a particularly high-risk time for family violence with stay at home directions adding another layer of challenges for some members of our community to reach out for support.”
“This means people in our community may be particularly vulnerable during these times and need our help,” he said. “We are sending a strong and clear warning to perpetrators, closed doors will not protect you from being held to account.”
In an emergency call 000. Support for people experiencing family violence is available 24 hours a day through safe steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au