THE number of women and children seeking help from family violence situations in the Loddon Campaspe region has more than doubled since 2007.Emergency Accommodation and Support Enterprise CEO Margaret Augerinos said the number of people being referred to the organisation had increased and this corresponded to increased callouts by Bendigo police.“As their numbers go up, ours do, too,” she said.Bendigo police responded to 97 incidents of family violence in January, compared to 57 callouts for the same period last year.In the first 14 days of February police were called to 58 reports of family violence, compared to 49 for the same period in 2010.Police were also kept busy in December with 75 callouts, 15 more than the same time in 2009.The number for January is the most family violence incidents that police have responded to during any one month since July 2008.Ms Augerinos said it was difficult to determine whether increased awareness had resulted in more callouts.She said a dedicated family violence unit would be a very positive move.“Police and family violence services would work together and communicate with each other,” she said.“When there are different police going to incidents, it is difficult.“If there was a core group they would get to know the people experiencing family violence and the repeat offenders.“Then when they do attend, it would be hard for the victim to say it was an isolated incident. It would build rapport and relationships.“People experiencing family violence are very ashamed and fearful to disclose information, for whatever reason.”