In the 2011 – 2012 crime increased by 6.8%.

There were more than 10,000 extra family violence complaints.

In response the state government has promised an extra 1700 police and 940 protective services offices by November 2014 as well as an extra $16 million in funding for family violence over the next four years.

While it has also been suggested that this is the first increase in crime over the past ten years others argue that crime, and in particular, violent crime has been steadily increasing over this period of time but reporting processes may not have reflected such. Also, the extra number of police promised may not compensate for the number of police either leaving or resigning from the police force and that throwing more money at services is not necessarily the answer, the government should be far more prudent how this money is in fact being spent.

The Victorian ombudsman first recommended an independent body be established to manage, collate and disseminate crime statistics in 2009 and again in June and that the establishment of this body is long overdue. The Police Minister recently said the government remained committed to introducing an independent crime statistics agency.

In 2010 more than 25,000 assaults reported to 000 never made it to Victoria Police statistics in breach of the force’s own operational guidelines. A former Chief Commissioner said the situation was a disgrace as accurate data is crucial for resourcing decisions.

Noel McNamara, President of the Crime Victims’ Support Association, said Victorians could have no confidence in the allocation of police resources while the true level of violent crime was hidden.

For victims support and advice call 1800 000 055 or go to www.victimsofcrime.com.au

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