Victoria Police have introduced some changes to help domestic violence victims.
Ash Dixit, a senior constable and Liaison officer with Victoria Police has appealed to the victims of domestic violence reach out to police as the new risk management form, launched recently, has been enhanced and tweaked to help identify certain issues.
Citing a few of cases of violence against women within the Indian community, Mr Dixit emphasised, victims must reach out to Police or support services like inTouch.
In Victoria, Intouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence provides legal help, counselling, immigration assistance and crisis accommodation options to refugee and migrant women experiencing domestic violence.
They have bilingual staff and engage interpreters to make sure every woman is heard and understood in their own language.
Mr Dixit said it is important to have an understanding of what types of behaviour constitute domestic violence, awareness about support services available and understanding of Australian laws which protect victims.
In Domestic violence situation, a victim needs specialist advice that is trusted.
Depressed Woman Looking Away While Sitting In Darkroom Source: Getty Images/Nishit Panchal/EyeEm
Mr Dixit emphasised victims of domestic violence must seek help, report to police and get help, rather than stay with their abusive partners.
“I would take this opportunity to reach out to the community and appeal that please trust the authorities, recognise the abusive behaviour and seek help. Police is there to help,” he said.
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Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show 16 per cent of Australian women have experienced violence from a partner after the age of 15.
The incidences of violence against women are likely to be much higher than official figures, as many incidents of family violence are never reported, authorities believe.
