The Crime Statistics Agency has today released key family violence measures from the 2018-19 Victorian Family Violence Database.
The Database includes data for the period between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2019 from across a range of Victorian government agencies. Similar to previous releases, the data included relates to:
- Family incidents recorded by police
- Emergency department presentations
- Legal services provided by Victoria Legal Aid
- Family violence intervention orders
- Family violence related ambulance services recorded by Ambulance Victoria
- Family violence homicides as reported to the Coroners’ Court homicide registry
The 2018-19 release will mark the first release of data from the Victorian Homelessness Data Collection in the Family Violence Database. This data looks at family violence related specialist homelessness services in Victoria over the past 4 financial years.
The number of family incidents recorded by Victoria Police increased by 8.6% from 76,113 in 2017-18 to 82,652 in 2018-19, and an increase in the rate per 100,000 population of 6.3%. Similarly, the number of new family violence order applications finalised in the Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Court increased by 3.5% and 7.9% respectively.
Crime Statistics Agency Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley noted the overall increases seen across the justice, health and service sectors.
“In the last 12 months, there has been an increase in family incidents recorded by Victoria Police and new applications finalised in the Magistrates’ and Children’s Court, as well as increased use of family violence services”. Ms Dowsley said.
The ongoing maintenance and development of the Database continues to address recommendation 205 made by the Royal Commission into Family Violence in March 2016.
Further information about the 2018-19 Victorian Family Violence Database can be found on the CSA website:
http://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/family-violence-data-portal (External link)