Police target family violence offending in Corio

Police have charged 139 people as part of an ongoing operation targeting high-risk family violence perpetrators in the Corio area over the summer holiday period.

Corio local police, supported by detectives from Geelong Family Violence Investigation Unit, have been proactively targeting perpetrators wanted for family violence offending to prevent escalating abuse during the summer holidays.

Police have netted 139 alleged family violence offenders since the operation began on 1 November 2021 – they have been charged with a range of offences including assaults, criminal damages, threats, and breaches of Family Violence Intervention Orders.

Of the 139 alleged offenders, 52 were charged and 87 were charged via summons.

The operation forms part of Victoria Police’s ongoing commitment in responding to family violence and managing high-risk perpetrators.

Family violence investigations make up a large portion of daily police work, with Corio police consistently seeing more than half of their investigations linked to family violence.

In the period between 1 November 2021 and 18 January 2022, 234 Family Violence Intervention Orders were issued to Corio police to serve on family violence offenders in the area.

Police have consistently seen a spike in family violence incidents during the summer holiday period, with clear increases on Christmas and New Year’s Day for the past several years.

Support is available through local services such as Orange Door in Geelong by calling1800 312 820. Victims can also seek help via safe steps, Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service, by calling 1800 015 188.

Quotes attributed to Sergeant Anne Elliott – Corio police station:

“An incredible amount of work has been done by Corio police in locating 139 family violence offenders over the summer holiday period – when, for the past several years, we have seen a spike in family violence offending.

“Police want victims of family violence to know that while the rest of the community slows down for the holidays, we will continue to ramp up efforts to prevent family violence, protect victims and hold their perpetrators to account.

“We will continue to engage with local family violence support services such Orange Door, Sexual Assault Family Violence Centre, Salvation Army and DIVERSITAT to ensure victims of family violence in our community always have somewhere to turn for help.”