Murder rise worries Victorian police

People are being encouraged to report acts of violence within families after police
identified an increase in family-related assaults and murders in Victoria.
When police deal with murder cases involving family members they are often unaware
of previous incidents of violence within the family, campaigner Jane Ashton says.
Ms Ashton's twin sister, Julie Ramage, was killed by her estranged husband seven
years ago.
She said people who witnessed family-related violence often thought they were
powerless to help.
"People have this misconception that it's none of their business - that what happens
in the home stays in the home," Mrs Ashton said.
"I cannot stress enough to people who have seen or heard anything, particularly if
they know children are present, to call the police or another service and they may
save a life."
The spike in family-related murders follows the release of statistics last week
showing the number of assaults between April 2009 and March 2010 jumped 2.3 per cent
from 617.8 per 100,000 people to 631.9.
Police have linked that jump to an increase in family violence.
Victorian police attended 33,918 violence incidents in the 2008-09 financial year.
Police powers allow them to separate people involved in family violence for up to 72
hours.
They can then apply for an intervention order, reducing the likelihood of continuing
violence and providing instant protection for those affected by the violence,
Detective Superintendent Wendy Steendam said.
"We really need people to seek help for their loved ones," Detective Superintendent
Steendam said.
"There are organisations, including Victoria Police, who will be able to help those
affected by a violent relationship or family situation.
"Though there have recently been a number of extreme incidents which have played out
in the public domain, many acts of violence occur behind closed doors.
"We are also using this appeal to urge men who feel they may need help with their
behaviour to seek support."
Anyone in immediate danger should contact triple-zero.
Support services include the Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service Victoria on
1800 015 188, the Men's Referral Service on 1800 065 973 and Lifeline Australia on
13 11 14. Each can also be accessed via their websites.