Wagga’s top cop has revealed the silent scourge of domestic violence is interfering with efforts to keep a lid on property crimes.
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It comes as latest crime statistics revealed a harrowing 46.1 per cent rise in reported “major cases” of battered Wagga women over the past 24 months to September – the biggest spike in the entire state.
Police officers in Wagga attend to, on average, between nine and 14 incidents of domestic violence every day.
Superintendent Bob Noble said the increase in reporting was not in and of itself a concern, as it suggested some victims were confronting latent violence, but worried about serious and repeat offending.
Frontline police are particularly busy dealing with domestic violence late at night, when alcohol enters the fray.
“Domestic violence is a big driver of our activity, which greatly inhibits our ability to do deal with things like property and alcohol-related crime,” Supt Noble said.
“Police get involved when its totally out of control, when victim sees no other options.
“Most families try to resolve the issue discreetly, sometimes through a misplaced sense of loyalty to the offender.
“When women put their hand up for police to intervene things are seriously out of control and a lot of harm has often already been done.”
The Wagga police commander said his station had two specialty officers to “help victims during the scary process”.
Wagga’s Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) responds within 24 hours of referral from the police, but offers subtle help for women preparing to leave a dangerous home.
“We are not associated with police nor a government agency, so people often feel more comfortable speaking to us about knowing what their rights and supports are,” WDVCAS’ Suni Spokes said.
“They can also consider speaking to police about applying for an apprehended domestic violence order, arranging transport, safely storing important documents, money and clothes.”
Ms Spokes also recommended asking a doctor to document injuries and safely storing emergency contacts.
If you need help contact Wagga’s Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service on 6921 6227 or the national family violence counselling service on 1800 737 732.
