Ballarat family violence crisis ignored as state election candidates make big
Ballarat's family violence rate is 55 per cent above the state average. But election candidates ignore it.
Ballarat has a family violence crisis that election candidates are ignoring. The region's family violence rate is 55 per cent above the state average.
Local police spend up to 80 per cent of their time responding to family violence incidents. This means eight family violence calls daily, or 56 incidents each week.
Labor, Liberals, Nationals, Greens and One Nation have all focused their election promises on the same four areas. These areas are cost of living, roads, crime and public transport.
None have committed to tackling family violence. Some candidates attended forums on family violence but offered only future protections like tougher penalties, not prevention.
Since 2000, more than 1,300 women and girls have been lost to male violence in Australia.
- 55 per cent above state average
- Ballarat rate above average
- Up to 80 per cent of local police time
- Police time on FV
- 56 family violence incidents per week
- Weekly incidents
- 1,300+ women and girls in Australia
- Deaths since 2000
Why it mattersPrevention and early intervention are the only way to stop family violence deaths. But election candidates are ignoring it despite Ballarat's crisis being far worse than the state average.
AustraliaBallarat voters face a state election where the leading cause of injury and death for women in their region is off the agenda. One woman is killed by a current or former partner every nine days in Australia.
