Drugs, grog fuel domestic violence rise

Drug use continues to fuel an increasing level of domestic violence with the number of incidents reported to police rising in the past six months.

As support agencies brace for a traditionally busy period when the number of reported incidents place increased pressure on their capacity, drug use has been a factor in 15 per cent of incidents attended by police in the past six months.

Great Southern family protection co-ordinator Sergeant Merryn Bojcun said the slight increase in drugs being a factor in reported incidents since July was a concern along with other stresses around the festive period.

Sgt Bojcun said 22.8 per cent of reported incidents in the Great Southern in the past six months had involved alcohol, which had remained consistent.

“Well, generally the amount of incidents does increase over the holiday period,” she said.

“I think that’s because with families, there is a whole lot of other stresses, financial issues, alcohol and families come together and have a few drinks and they can bring up things from the past.

“It’s certainly a period of domestic violence where reported incidents increase.”

Since July 1 this year, 738 incidents of domestic violence had been reported to police in the Great Southern leading to 284 perpetrators charged.

As a result, a total of 724 offences had been recorded including assault, sexual assault, breaching violence restraining orders and breaching police orders.

Sgt Bojcun said it was very difficult for a woman experiencing domestic violence to access support during the festive period.

“Pretty much from now on, all the beds in the refuges are full so trying to find safe accommodation for those women and children who need to be in a safe place can be quite challenging at this point of the year,” she said.

“I don’t think it is news to anyone that there is not enough refuges and refuge beds but how far do you go. We will always find somewhere safe for them to be.

“The counselling services are overwhelmed at this time of the year.”

Sgt Bojcun said more domestic violence victims were coming forward with the issue now “front and centre” but only 15 per cent of incidents nationally were reported.