IT is no longer a secret that the number of domestic violence-related assaults usually increases in December and January.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But what is less well-known is there are an increasing number of men who are facing domestic violence.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data shows 10,095 men reported domestic violence compared with 21,282 women between October 2017 and September 2018 in the state.
Chifley Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said that in the eyes of the law, domestic violence is not just violence between married, de-facto or intimate partners, but includes “violence between people who live in the same household and people who are related”.
“For instance, violence between two brothers is recorded and responded to as an incident of domestic violence,” he said.
“There are supports in place for men who are victims of domestic violence.”
Detective Inspector Rankin said, however, that women are much more likely to suffer domestic violence.
Authorities found incidents of domestic violence usually rise during the Christmas and new year period and in most cases it is a boyfriend or girlfriend, spouse or ex-partner who is responsible for it.
Orana Mid-Western Police District Commander Superintendent Peter McKenna said domestic violence high risk offenders teams (HROTs) in Dubbo have kept the crime in check.
“They have performed exceptionally well, especially in the targeting of our most high risk offenders and bringing them to justice,” he said.
Central West Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Bruce Grassick said there is a slight increase in the number of rural cases in the entire district in December and January compared with other months.
“It is a period when lots of families and people come together. Sometimes the situation gets flared due to alcohol,” he said.
He said violence against men is not uncommon and police do come across cases where an offender is a female and the victim is a male.
Data shows the number of domestic violence-related incidents has been on the rise in the Bathurst local government area for the past five years, whereas it is stable in Dubbo and on the decline in Orange.
Support is just a phone call away
- Relationships Australia, 1300 364 277: Support groups and counselling on relationships. Also provides support for abusive and abused partners.
- Housing Plus, 1300 384 357: Supports people who are victims of domestic and family violence by finding them crisis, transitional and long-term housing.
- 1800RESPECT, 1800 737 732: 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
- Lifeline, 13 11 14: A national number for anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide.
- Kids Help Line, 1800 551 800: Free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling service specifically created to support young people aged between 5 and 25.
- Mensline Australia, 1300 789 978: Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties.
- Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline, 1800 019 123: Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims’ rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance.
- Blue Knot Foundation, 1300 657 380: Telephone counselling for adult survivors of childhood trauma, their friends, family and the health care professionals who support them.
- Men's Referral Service, 1300 766 491: This service from No To Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence. Phone if you would like help dealing with male behavioural and relationship concerns.
