Spike in family violence during holidays

Family violence spiked dramatically during the Christmas holiday period last year,
new Victoria Police data shows.

Almost 1,000 incidents of family violence were reported to police in the week
between Christmas and New Year.
Boxing Day kept police especially busy with 139 family violence incidents reported,
while there were a further 134 on New Year's Day.
The figures come one year after police were given new powers to tackle family
violence - orders to ban perpetrators from abusing family members.
The most orders, 28, were handed out on the day after Valentine's Day.
Police have handed out a total of 3,118 notices, with almost half of those issued on
weekends, the figures show.
Acting Inspector Lauren Callaway from the Sexual offence and Child Abuse
Coordination office said the notices were designed to help protect victims when they
were at their most vulnerable.
"A majority of family violence incidents often occur in the evening, on weekends and
during public holidays when courts are not in session," she said.
"By removing the perpetrator from the incident, the victim is given some space to
decide what she wants to do with the relationship."
The figures were released as police prepare for one of their busiest periods for
family violence.
Alcohol played a huge part in family violence incidents, Acting Insp Callaway said.
Acting Premier and Attorney General Rob Hulls said the figures were proof the new
system of safety notices was making a positive impact.
"The increased reporting of family violence revealed in this database tells us
people are finding it easier to speak out against the violence that already exists,"
he said.
Mr Hulls said the data showed that in two out of five cases the violence had been
occurring for more than two years.