FAMILY violence reports have soared in the past 12 months in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
Police say most assaults in the area are committed by family members, friends, neighbours or people otherwise known to the victim.
Family violence reports in the 12 months to March 31 jumped 31 per cent from 144 to 189 in Maribyrnong and 23 per cent from 191 to 235 in Hobsons Bay.
Overall assault reports rose 13 per cent from 558 to 635 in Maribyrnong and 17 per cent from 541 to 630 in Hobsons Bay, Victoria Police data, released last week, shows.
Total crime was up by 11.5 per cent across Hobsons Bay and down by 4.5 per cent in Maribyrnong.
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Richard Paterson said family violence was previously under-reported.
“A lot of the assaults that we’ve had in Hobsons Bay are between people who are known to each other, like neighbours or people in similar groups to each other.
“As a result, over 80 per cent of these incidents result in the arrest of an offender.”
Maribyrnong’s Inspector Tony Long said the family violence unit was being kept very busy.
“[It is] working closely with victims and offenders alike to make sure people are given the support and assistance needed to help break the cycle of violence.”
The Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service (WDVCS) said family violence services were at breaking point because of the surge in reports.
Crisis line calls last financial year were up 30 per cent to 50,834 and CEO Annette Gillespie said the crisis service was run off its feet.
“Every hour of the day, we take countless calls from police, hospitals, schools and other support services who need our help for a woman caught in the vicious cycle of domestic violence,” she said.
