WOMEN are more likely to be victims of family violence, but men are not immune to the problem, according to Bendigo police.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Family violence advisor Sergeant Margaret Singe said statistics showed 20 per cent of victims were male.
“Often these victims feel unrecognised, let down and alone in their struggles,” she said.
“Until recently this was, in more cases than not, actually the situation, as funding for services relied on statistical information and greatest need.
“With 80 per cent of victims being women, the funding was given to services providing support to them.
“Through the increasing work done in the family violence field the need for assistance for male victims was identified and steps have been put in place to ensure male victims receive the support and help they require.
“This work is done through Victims of Crime (1800 000 055), who can provide counselling, support and referral services.”
Sergeant Singe said all members of the community, male or female, should report all incidents of family violence to police.
“This is a serious issue within our community and if we are not made aware of the specific incidents then we cannot address them. Reports can be made through 000 or to the local police station.”
Sergeant Singe said the White Ribbon Campaign for 2012 in Bendigo finished with the completion of an art display last week.
Emily Ross and Hayley Robertson were awarded prizes for the best entries and the people’s choice award went to Madeline Callipari.
“The campaign in Bendigo started with the decoration of the trams, spreading the prevention of violence message as they travelled along the tracks through the centre of Bendigo,” Sergeant Singe said.
“The Bendigo Business Council Breakfast, with two wonderful guest speakers, certainly highlighted and introduced the issues to businesses across the Bendigo area and our community event in the Hargreaves Mall opened the discussion with members of our community.
“The art display, situated in the Bendigo Bank foyer, was well attended and the artwork was certainly powerful and by all accounts successful in raising the awareness of family violence in our community and of the services available to our victims.”