By KATRINA BRANDON
Warning: This story details issues some readers may find distressing.
STILL air filled the room as Latrobe City held a vigil for National Domestic Family Violence Remembrance Day.
About 70 people attended the vigil by candlelight held at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre on May 6 as part of Domestic Violence Prevention Month.
The vigil was moved indoors amid weather concerns.
Latrobe City Mayor, Sharon Gibson spoke on behalf of council.
“We’re here to acknowledge too many who have had their lives taken from them through domestic violence,” she said.
“Domestic violence takes many, many different forms. There’s the physical, the way you speak to a person, your tone.
“It is not just words. There is psychological and emotional abuse, withdrawing your love from a person. It can be very, very cruel, coercive control, financial.”
Mayor Gibson highlighted that technical abuse was also becoming a problem, whether it is control over what is posted online, texted or even stalking.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rod Finlay of the Victoria Police Family Violence Investigative Unit said family violence was happening constantly.
“Since we commenced (talking at the vigil) 15 minutes ago, Victoria Police, somewhere in this state, have attended three family violence incidents,” he said.
“We attend an incident every five minutes, (that’s) 290 incidents a day.
“These reports have consistently placed Latrobe shire in the last 10 years in the top three of family violence per capita in Victoria. Often, when I talk of these figures increasing so consistently, I see people despair at what can be considered an epidemic. And yes, I suppose there’s a moment for that.”
Sgt Finlay said family violence had been thrust into public consciousness even further since the well-documented incident involving Rosie Batty and her son, Luke.
“Systems and services have expanded to support those caught in violent relationships and help people escape our whole community,” Sgt Finlay said.
“Approach through education, health, law enforcement and support sectors are forging ahead to generate awareness and support families, and our communities are reporting with confidence that if you say something, something will be done.
“I have a great belief that the increased reporting is not necessarily because more is occurring. I firmly believe it was already occurring, just now that people are willing to come forward and speak up and report what they see.”
Quantum Support Services, Manager of Family Violence Specialist Services, Sonia O’Keefe, touched on the organisation’s work.
She said East Gippsland faced the highest rates of family and domestic violence in Victoria, with Latrobe second and Wellington fitting within the top 10.
According to Ms O’Keefe, more than 9000 incidents of domestic and family violence were reported to Victoria Police in Gippsland across the last 12 months.
Even more concerningly, the numbers don’t tell the whole story, and it is estimated that most family violence never gets reported.
Ms O’Keefe said people often don’t report out of fear.
“To those supporting loved ones, friends, family members, neighbours, your role matters, and it matters more than you realise,” she said.
“A conversation, a brief moment, a willingness to stay connected, can make a huge difference to that person.
Latrobe City councillors Steph Morgan (Yallourn Ward), Adele Pugsley (Moe) and Joanne Campbell (Jeeralang) were also in attendance.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, help is available.
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).
Lifeline 13 11 14
RESPECT – 1800 737 732
Crime Stoppers Victoria – 1800 333 000
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
