SEXUAL assaults in Bendigo spiked during the latest COVID-19 lockdown, a support service has warned.
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Centre Against Sexual Assault chief executive Kate Wright said there was a pronounced increase in people presenting with recent experience of sexual assault during July's lockdown.
Ms Wright said the behaviours reported to CASA showed an alarming disregard for consent.
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Family violence support services have consistently warned more women were experiencing violence during lockdowns, including during recent circuit-breakers.
It's a pattern born out by Victoria's most recent crime statistics, which showed an 11.3 per cent increase in family violence-related offences in the year to March 2021.
But Ms Wright said it was a surprise when demand for CASA's services rose during the most recent lockdown, unlike previous lockdowns.
She said calls to CASA's after hours crisis line in particular increased during the period.
Ms Wright said sexual assault appeared to have reached a peak point, with people living at home, or in bubbles, often in a pressured environment.
"People are tired. COVID has an impact for the whole community in feeling, locked down and controlled. There's a general COVID fatigue for everyone," Ms Wright said.
"At times of stress that can exacerbate how people react, which includes sexual violence."
Ms Wright said many people presenting with recent sexual assault had experienced an escalation of violence.
She said there appeared to have been a normalisation in sexual behaviours which did not actively engage in consent, making them in fact sexual violence.
Ms Wright said this sometimes related to the expectations encoded in pornography being applied to real life.
She speculated that some people might be watching more pornography in lockdown - leading to harmful, unacceptable behaviours - because they were cut off from their normal daily activities.
Reports of sexual offences in Victoria have remained relatively stable since 2018 after several years consistent increase. The 12 months to March 2021 saw a slight drop in reports.
Crime statistics show the same pattern for the Greater Bendigo municipality.
Both sets of data only include reports made in the 12 months to March, preceding Victoria's two most recent lockdowns.
Ms Wright said police data on sexual assaults had been increasing every year in Victoria, but it could be due to increased awareness or reporting, rather than prevalence.
She emphasised that CASA's services remained open during lockdowns. She said people could seek support without obligation to file an official police report.
"We encourage anyone, regardless of age or situation, to seek support and assistance, and know that you will be believed," Ms Wright said.
If you or someone you know needs support, call:
- Centre Against Sexual Assault Central Victoria - 03 5441 0430, from 9am - 5pm on weekdays.
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 1800 806 292, at all other times.
- 1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732
If life is in danger, phone 000.
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