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Media Release: 22 January 2010

Successful Brimbank Police Family Violence Unit Closed

Victoria Police closed the Brimbank Family Violence Unit (BFVU) this week.

'We have been informed that the reason for the decision is a lack of resources,' said Maureen Smith, Family Violence Regional Integration Coordinator.

'Family violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15-44 and Brimbank has one of the highest rates of reported family violence incidents in Victoria.'

Established in 2006 as part of the Victorian Government integrated family violence reforms, the Brimbank Family Violence Unit (BFVU) provided a specialist response to family violence incidents in the area.

The BFVU worked with the family violence support agencies and demonstrated a new way of working together, the first of its kind in the state.

'This closure will have a huge impact on women and children living with violence in the Brimbank area. The unit not only meant better outcomes for women and children, they also worked to prevent further incidents occurring,' said Ms Smith.

During 2008-09, Victoria Police were called to 1335 family violence incidents in Brimbank.

'Family violence workers I've spoken to are devastated,' explained Ms Smith.

'They have built important relationships with the unit, including piloting a strategy to respond to clients at high risk of violence. The workers I have spoken to can't see this having positive outcomes for clients.'

This closure contradicts the Victorian Government whole of government family violence reforms as well as the Victoria Police Strategy to reduce violence against women and children 2009-2014.

MEDIA CONTACT

MEDIA: For more information contact Nicola Harte, Communications Co-ordinator on 9689 9588 or email nicolah@whwest.org.au

For all other general media enquiries contact us via email.