Domestic violence help line runs hot as victims reach out for help

MORE victims of family violence are making calls for help, new figures show, as the government prepares to launch a campaign to tackle the growing problem.

MORE victims of family violence are making calls for help, new figures show.

As the federal government launches its new Stop it at the Start campaign today, the latest data shows that as of January 31, the family violence hotline had handled 45,000 calls this financial year.

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The number of calls to 1800 RESPECT being answered has increased from 17 per cent in December 2015 to 92 per cent in December last year.

State governments around the country are rolling out trials of GPS trackers to monitor high-risk perpetrators. The tracking devices would alert authorities when perpetrators are too close to their victims.

A National Domestic Violence Order Scheme has been adopted by four states and two territories, so orders issued in one jurisdiction will be automatically enforced in others.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will launch the new advertising campaign today in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to launch the new Stop it at the Start campaign. Picture: Kym Smith

“One of our most important responsibilities as parents is ensuring our sons grow up respecting their mothers and their sisters. Disrespecting women does not always result in violence against women, but all violence against women begins with disrespecting womenm” Mr Turnbull said.

“The figures released today show my government’s domestic violence prevention and assistance programs are reaching more Australians than ever before.

He said the vast majority of Australians have zero tolerance for violence against women and he was ensuring there’s more assistance than ever for the victims.

“But we must not be complacent, there is still a lot of work to do. Violence against women is cowardly and criminal. We can stamp it out and we will not rest until we do.”