Ben Bartl says family violence incidents up 50 per cent but fewer people being rehabilitated

The incidence of family violence in Tasmania is growing but the number of people completing rehabilitation programs has plummeted. What a community legal service believes needs to happen.

Domestic violence generic image.

Police are being called to 14 incidents of family violence every day in Tasmania — up 50 per cent from six years ago — data shows.

Community Legal Centres Tasmania policy officer Ben Bartl said it was alarming that while the incidence of family violence was increasing, the number of offenders undertaking rehabilitation had decreased.

In a recent submission to the Department of Justice, he said Tasmania Police data highlighted that the number of reportable family violence incidents has increased by 50 per cent over the last six years, from 3573 to 5353.

“It is very concerning that the significant increase in reportable family violence incidents has not resulted in more offenders undertaking rehabilitation,” Mr Bartl said.

Ben Bartl principal solicitor Tenants Union of Tasmania. The Tenants Union of Tasmania are highlighting that Winter isn't great for those without a home. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The Department of Justice reported a 72 per cent decline in perpetrators commencing the Family Violence Offender Intervention Program from 90 to 54 and a 68 per cent decline in completions from 56 to 39 over the last six years.

“It is clear more needs to be done.

“It is baffling that a significant rise in reportable family violence corresponds with plummeting rehabilitation.

“Clearly, the government needs to be doing more to invest in behaviour change programs and addressing the causes of family violence”.

In the submission, Mr Bartl said: “It would be expected that an increase in reportable family violence incidents has seen a concomitant increase in rehabilitation programs.”

The programs are compulsory.

The data in the submission shows that in 2018-19, 90 people commenced a Family Violence Offender Intervention Program and 56 completed it but the number had dropped to 54 commencements in 2023-24 with 39 completed.

In another program, known as EQUIPS, which covers addiction, aggression, and domestic and family violence, 181 people commenced the program in 2018-19 with 102 completions but in 2023-24 the numbers had plummeted with 22 people starting the program and only 11 completing it.

“A failure to invest in rehabilitation means that family violence will continue to be perpetrated,” Mr Bartl said in the submission.

generic child abuse boy

The Sexual Assault Support Service has welcomed the Greens’ plan to move in the next parliament for a Joint Standing Committee on the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence.

SASS CEO Shirleyann Varney said an ongoing parliamentary focus reflected “the serious and sustained attention that family and sexual violence demands”.

“Embedding prevention, early intervention, and long-term support for victim survivors into the work of Parliament is an important step,” she said.

“We look forward to constructive collaboration across government, parliament, and the sector to shape a committee that is appropriately resourced, inclusive, and focused on driving meaningful progress.”

Mr Bartl also supported a permanent parliamentary committee in light of Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing Tasmania had the highest rate of intimate partner violence, cohabiting partner violence, stalking and emotional abuse from a cohabiting partner in Australia.

Originally published as Ben Bartl says family violence incidents up 50 per cent but fewer people being rehabilitated