Domestic violence: Victorian neighbourhoods where AVO breaches have skyrocketed

This is where Victorians have seen the largest increase in reported domestic violence order breaches. See the full list.

Exclusive: Family violence order breaches have ballooned across Victoria, with an 18 per cent jump in reported violations over the past three years.

The Victorian Government’s Crime Statistics Agency showed reported FVO breaches increased from 44,004 in the 2018-19 financial year, to 51,367 in 2021-22.

They at least doubled in seven out of 79 local government areas, including the Buloke Shire in the west, where breaches more than quadrupled over the three years, from 12 to 54.

It was followed by two LGAs north east of Melbourne: Murrindindi (up 170 per cent, from 67 to 181) and Strathbogie (up 164 per cent, from 81 to 214).

The highest numbers of breaches, however, were recorded in the larger LGAs of Casey (2725 in 2021-22, up 39 per cent on three years earlier), Greater Geelong (2585, up 52 per cent) and Hume (1907, up 14 per cent).

But a rise in reported FVO breaches is not necessarily a bad sign, according to experts.

Griffith University social work and criminology professor Dr Silke Meyer said victims were increasingly confident to come forward, driving the rise in reporting.

“The reform work over the last five years more broadly has increased awareness of reporting options and increased awareness that this can happen to anyone,” she said.

“It has taken out the stigma that it only happens to people of lower income tiers or lower socio economic background, or diverse linguistic backgrounds.

“We have had quite a few middle class victim-survivors coming out over the years speaking out and it’s given people confidence to report.”

She said people were also more aware of non-physical domestic and family violence, such as coercive control; and protective order conditions had become more comprehensive with specific behaviours listed, making it easier to understand what constitutes a breach.

Dr Silke Meyer said people were increasingly aware of what constitutes abuse or a DVO breach. Picture: Supplied.

However, Dr Meyer said there may have also been an increase in abuse and protective order breaches via mobile phones and social media during the pandemic.

“Growth in technology-facilitated abuse would increase reporting whereas previously victim-survivors may not be aware it constitutes domestic and family violence or a breach of that order,” she said.

“(Research shows) the police responses seem to be much better when there is physical evidence of abuse or harm, whereas with non-physical abuse, such as coercive control and technology-facilitated abuse, you need a really skilled and trained police officer who will

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed domestic violence-related crimes (including homicide, sexual assault and kidnapping) had been increasing in Victoria in recent years, jumping 17 per cent since the pandemic, between 2019 and 2021.

Domestic violence-related crimes jumped 17 per cent between 2019 and 2021.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said although FVO breaches increased during the pandemic they have more recently started to decline – down 6.6 per cent in the year to June, 2022.

However, Victoria Police treated these figures with caution as victims often took months or years to report family violence.

She said the vast majority of breaches were committed using technology, such as text messages or social media.

“The digital age means offenders can now breach orders without having to leave their house,” she said.

“Victoria Police treats these breaches extremely seriously. We won’t hesitate to put offenders before a court.

“Our specialised family violence detectives identify breaches through active monitoring and targeting of known and emerging offenders.

“Victoria Police has come a long way in developing responses, raising community awareness and challenging attitudes that support violence.

“As a result, we’re seeing more victims as well as their friends and family coming forward to report incidents or breaches to police and support services.”

If you are in immediate danger, please call triple-0 000 in an emergency.

For more support, please call:

24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732

Men facing domestic violence can contact mensline.org.au on 1300 78 99 78

Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800

Lifeline on 13 11 14