Police steps against family violence welcome

The news that Shepparton police will have four full-time detectives investigating family violence by the end of the year must be welcomed.And it must be celebrated as a win for the community.But it is also a harrowing reminder of the epidemic that is sweeping the nation, Shepparton included.Every year our police alone respond to more than 1600 family violence instances across Shepparton. While violence can happen to both men and women, statistics show one woman is murdered in Australia every week by her current or former partner.Detective Senior Sergeant David Bowler said these new reforms would mean a dedicated team of detectives would investigate family violence.“It’s allowing us to make better informed decisions based on the reports we receive,”  Det Sen Sgt Bowler said. “I hope to see we have better outcomes in the future, but it will take time.’’It is important to remember tackling family violence must not just fall on the shoulders of our police. We must tackle it together as a community and we must call it out when we see it. That is the only way it will stop. “If you look at the Crime Statistics Victoria stats Shepparton is still showing an increase,” Det Sen Sgt Bowler said.Statistics also show one in four women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner since the age of 15. These statistics don’t lie.But they need to change.And they need to change immediately.