Police Expecting Increase In Family Violence Incidents This Weekend

Police are sadly expecting a 20 per cent increase in family violence incidents on Grand Final day.

Victoria Police have said they are expecting a 20 per cent increase in family violence incidents after Saturday’s AFL Grand Final.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told Tony Jones on 3AW it’s one of the worst nights for family violence outside of New Years Eve, where there’s a 50 per cent increase.

“Members (of the police force) go to a family violence event every seven minutes in Victoria” CCP Ashton said.

“On Grand Final there’s about a 20 per cent increase on a normal night.

“You can see, it’s a really significant increase.”

Listen to the full interview below….

While sports can bring fans together in celebration and camaraderie, researchers have documented a more troubling trend that accompanies these major events – a frightening increase in domestic violence.

In Australia, data released by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics revealed that on State of Origin game nights, there is a staggering 40.7% surge in domestic assaults in NSW.

This spike in violence against women and children has remained consistent during State of Origin matches from 2012-17, the crime statistics show.
Increases in family violence have also been documented during the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup.

Earlier this year we reported that whether teams win or lose, sporting events lead to spikes in violence against women and children. Read more on that here.

If you are worried about a friend or family member reach out to them. Invite them over for a cuppa and a chat.

Make sure you are a responsible drinker this weekend.

If you need support please call Lifeline 13 11 14 or phone 000

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12 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 19 Nov 2022
    9:39 am
MEN do not hit woman. We need to stop refering to them as Men and call them what they are …COWARDS.

- - MrsA said
  - 27 Nov 2018
    12:25 pm
We need to put an end to this binge drinking culture. I imagine losing money while betting plays a big part too.

- - mom162203 said
  - 25 Nov 2018
    3:17 pm
That’s pretty sad, that they predict this at this time of year, no time is a good time for this, fullstop.

- - curlytops said
  - 02 Oct 2018
    12:47 pm
very sad how some people just cant control their emotions in a civilised manner.

- - rovermum said
  - 01 Oct 2018
    9:16 am
This is horrifying and concerning and ridiculous. We need to create a culture of enjoyment and celebration that’s not about getting smashed and behaving badly. That’s what I’m teaching my son.

- - mom93821 said
  - 30 Sep 2018
    5:42 am
This is horrifying and events can be enjoyed without the need to drink or drink to excess. Sport should be a good way to support a team and to release some energy. There is no excuse for violence against women and children.

- - Blossom said
  - 29 Sep 2018
    2:18 pm
Unfortunately a lot use the football as an excuse to get themselves really drunk or now in some occasions take illegal drugs. Some get violent when they are drunk and abuse results from that. Sometimes children are abused too.

- - Ellen said
  - 29 Sep 2018
    11:18 am
It’s as that on an event which should be happy and exciting, violence is increasing

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 29 Sep 2018
    10:46 am
This is really scary. I really hope there is less of these.

- - tessie said
  - 29 Sep 2018
    9:19 am
It’s terrible to hear of this type of abuse happening at any time of the year. Hopefully not too bad this year. To anyone who has to deal with this, be safe and take care

- - mom67623 said
  - 29 Sep 2018
    6:16 am
How sad and true and in most cases the perpetrator gets of scot free. I worked as youth worker many years ago and abuse by partner was rife.. Girls belief system was that it was her !, Some came from parents who’s fault! when abused was the women’s feeling they deserved it. How do we stop it, by having more support services ? Education not ok. Think we have to start the belief in schools without judgement as some of the students and their familes do not want others to know this is happening in their young lives already. Sometimes this feeling is deepy ingrained belief, needs to be OK to ask for help and learn different way of thinking… So starting early and being heard seen and believed without judgement is important. Abuse in any form is not OK. Hope it is not so bad this year..

- - ashna9 said
  - 28 Sep 2018
    2:49 pm
This is really scary. I hope these people can control themselves better over the long weekend.