Domestic assaults up 44 per cent as victims speak out

POLICE say it’s because more people are reporting domestic violence, but figures show that DV-related assaults are up a staggering 44 per cent in the Gosford area.

Domestic violence rates are up because more victims are speaking out. Source: iStock/Getty Images

DOMESTIC violence related assaults soared 44 per cent in the former Gosford local government area in the 24 months to March, according to new figures.

But Brisbane Water Superintendent Daniel Sullivan said the staggering jump has more to do with an “unprecedented campaign” to encourage once silent victims to come forward than a surge in new violence.

Gosford also recorded the lowest repeat victim rates of anywhere north of the Hawkesbury River.

Brisbane Water Superintendent Daniel Sullivan said more victims were coming forward. Picture: Peter Clark

The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) latest quarterly report shows domestic violence related assaults have increased 16.8 per cent in the 24 months to March across the Central Coast and 44 per cent in the former Gosford City.

The increase is streets ahead of the statewide climb in domestic violence assaults of just 2.4 per cent in the 60 months to March compared with a 4.2 drop in non-domestic assaults.

Gosford recorded 1539 domestic assaults in the 12 months to March, up from 1318 in the previous year — an increase of more than 220.

Gosford recorded almost double the number of domestic assaults than Wyong last year. Source: iStock / Getty Images

Gosford ranked only behind Blacktown with 2016 domestic assaults, Sydney’s inner southwest with 2100, Parramatta with 1652 and Sydney’s southwest recording 1691 assaults.

The former Wyong local government area recorded 868 domestic assaults in the same period, up marginally from 852 in the 12 months to March 2015.

While most crime categories remained stable or fell in Gosford in the 24 months to March 2016, shoplifting jumped 63.2 per cent and incidents of fraud increased by 31.4 per cent.

In the same period robbery without a weapon plummeted 51.2 per cent in Wyong while stealing from a person dropped 32.5 per cent.

Supt Sullivan said crime figures were more than a simplistic “up” was bad and “down” was good.

Opposition spokeswoman for the prevention of domestic violence Jenny Aitchison said there needed to be more funding for refuges.

“With domestic violence we have had an unprecedented campaign to encourage victims to come forward and report — the figures clearly show our message is being received and acted upon,” he said.

“The more important measure with domestic violence is repeat victims, this is important because it is a reflection of our efforts to get the victim out of the criminal justice system.

“We have the lowest repeat victim rate from the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Queensland border.”

NSW Opposition spokeswoman for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault Jenny Aitchison said funding for refuges was not keeping pace with demand and the State Government had to act.

“This jump may be, in part, due to increased reporting, but that makes it all the more urgent that the Government restore funding,” she said.