A multi-agency crackdown on family violence has been launched at what experts say is peak season for domestic violence incidents.
The Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Mark Speakman was joined by Corporate Spokesperson for Domestic Violence at NSW Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones, as well as Acting Executive Director at the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), Jackie Fitzgerald, to reassure the community that frontline services were ready to respond.
“The summer season is a happy time of celebration for most families, but sadly the statistics tell us many will actually be suffering violence at the hands of a family member over December and January,” Mr Speakman said.
“We want to send a strong message of support for victim-survivors, so they know there are services here to help them when they’re ready to take that courageous step,” he said.
“[We are also] reminding perpetrators that they too should seek help now before police come knocking on their door.”
Mr Speakman said national sexual assault and domestic violence counselling service 1800 RESPECT recorded a 15 per cent boost in calls in December 2018, compared with the average intake over the previous six months.
Ms Fitzgerald said BOCSAR data showed domestic violence assaults increased over summer, with 35 per cent more incidents recorded in December than in July.
Assistant Commissioner Jones said police were better equipped than ever to bring perpetrators of domestic violence to justice.
“We have dedicated domestic violence high risk offender teams across all of our policing regions [and] specialist Domestic Violence Liaison Officers in our commands and districts,” Asst Commissioner Jones said.
