Family Violence Rates Inspire Community Action Across Regional Victoria

Family violence is an issue that continues to cast a long shadow over communities across Victoria, with regional areas like Geelong being hit particularly hard. Although access to services is relatively good in metropolitan areas, rural communities face systemic barriers to receiving assistance. 

The numbers are grim — over the past couple of years, family violence incidents have increased across Victoria, with regional areas experiencing disproportionately high rates. The reality has been incredibly jarring, but it has also prompted some much needed action. Communities, advocacy groups and local governments are now filling that space, leading the charge with initiatives that emphasise prevention, legal advocacy, education and community-based responses. There’s a growing sense that change can’t just come from policies at the top — it has to be driven from within these communities themselves. With funding for support services lagging, grassroots efforts are now making a difference. 

Here’s how family violence rates are inspiring community action across regional Victoria.

Education and Legal Support: Helping Families Navigate the System

Investing in education surrounding family violence and understanding what legal support is available is naturally a priority in many regional towns. Across Victoria, community outreach initiatives provide parents and children with information and access to legal resources. By working alongside family lawyers in Melbourne who offer free consultations, these programs provide a clear framework for understanding legal rights and options, empowering families to navigate their situations effectively. 

Similarly, increased access to family mediation services is also giving families an alternative to what can be lengthy and sometimes traumatic Family Court proceedings. Mediation is, on the other hand, a neutral, result-oriented way to address family matters, allowing for a resolution outside of court. This without a doubt results in better outcomes for children and families.

The Rise of Specialist Family Violence Courts

One of the key developments in the response to family violence has been the introduction of Specialist Family Violence Courts (SFVCs), developed to provide a more specialised and victim focused approach to family violence cases.

Geelong, which is currently in the process of constructing its own SFVC, is a prime example. This $26 million investment will make the justice system safer and more accessible to victim-survivors. The goal of these courts is to help reduce the trauma of traditional court proceedings, ensuring victims don’t have to encounter perpetrators face-to-face,  in addition to potentially fast-tracking the legal process to help make it a more efficient one.

Dedicated courts that are properly resourced to deal with family violence cases means regional Victorians no longer need to travel three, four or five hours away to reach a system that really understands the complexities of their experience.

Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Regional Victorians Have Access to Services

One of the major challenges regional Victorians face is accessing support services. Rural areas often struggle with a lack of resources and even when services exist, they can be difficult to access due to long wait times and travel distances. 

In response to these gaps, regional integration committees have been established to gather legal professionals, social workers, and community leaders in a bid to coordinate more cohesive family violence responses. These committees are crucial to ensuring that services don’t just exist on paper, but actually reach those who need it the most. They also advocate for sustained funding and policy changes to address the specific hurdles faced by rural communities.

Legal Assistance and Government Funding: A Step in the Right Direction

Legal assistance is another area that has faced increasing pressure as family violence rates rise There is an increased demand for specialist legal services, as more victim-survivors are seeking intervention orders and legal protection. The federal government’s recent announcement of their $23 million funding for family violence legal assistance is a step in the right direction, providing some much-needed support to those living in regional areas as they seek access to their necessary legal support.

However, advocates argue that this funding is only a fraction of what is actually needed to meet the demand. For many victim-survivors, particularly those in remote communities, there are still barriers to accessing the protection and justice they deserve without proper investment in legal aid.

Prevention: Changing Attitudes and Stopping the Cycle of Violence

Prevention is also an important piece of the puzzle. Addressing family violence isn’t just about providing support to victim-survivors — we need to be preventing the cycle before it even begins. 

Organisations such as Respect Victoria are advocating for long-term change, with programs targeting the attitudes and behaviours that underpin family violence. Education campaigns are urging discussions about respectful relationships, consent, and gender equality, seeking to dismantle damaging social norms that drive cycles of abuse. Schools, workplaces and community groups are also getting involved, recognising that early intervention and awareness can play a huge role in prevention.

The Road Ahead: A Holistic Approach to Family Violence

While these positive steps forward highlight a great deal of progress, we still have a long way to go in the fight against family violence. Regional communities still face significant challenges, particularly when it comes to addressing the underlying factors that contribute to violence in the first place. Economic hardship, unemployment and substance abuse are well-documented contributors to violence against family members, and unless these root causes are addressed, the problem will persist. 

A holistic approach — one that integrates strong legal protections, accessible support services, education and economic initiatives — is critical to creating lasting change. But the most powerful force in this battle is the persistence and tenacity of communities themselves. In regional Victoria, locals are rejecting the idea that family violence is an inevitability. They are speaking out, empowering victim-survivors, and collaborating to create safer, stronger communities.

The message is clear: family violence is everyone’s business, and together we can create a future where every Victorian, no matter where they live, is safe, respected and supported.

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