More than 900 family violence perpetrators have been tracked down and 155 arrests were made in the north-west metro region in a major police operation.
Operation Enforceable – an initiative of Victoria Police’s Family Violence Command – saw specialist units from across the force unite to proactively target and apprehend family violence perpetrators known to actively avoid police detection.
Those with outstanding warrants or unserved family violence intervention orders (IVO) were also targeted to ensure the safety of victim-survivors.
The statewide operation, which was a first of its kind, resulted in around 460 arrests.
In the North-west Metro Policing region, which includes Sunbury, 155 arrests were made, along with 134 charges, 185 warrants executed and136 family violence intervention orders served.
The operation took place over six days from October 16 to Wednesday 18 October and between August 9 to August 11.
Arrests included a 33-year-old man for family violence offending including viciously assaulting his pregnant partner and making threats with a knife, as well as evading police following an attempted arrest earlier this month. The man was arrested and remanded in custody.
Another involved a 34-year-old man wanted by police for 967 days for an outstanding warrant relating to family violence assaults on multiple female victims, breaching community correction orders, burglary and criminal damage. The man was arrested and remanded in custody.
Family Violence Command acting superintendent Holly Dalrymple said across Victoria frontline police attend more than 93,000 family violence incidents a year.
“That’s roughly one every six minutes,” she said.
“When we’re talking about family violence, we’re predominantly talking about men committing acts of violence and abuse against women and children. But it’s important to acknowledge family violence doesn’t discriminate. It impacts all people of all backgrounds in all communities.
“This operation shows just how serious we are in holding family violence offenders to account and ensuring the safety of victim-survivors.
“The message we want to get out there to victim-survivors is when you’re ready, please speak to us or to one of the amazing support services available. Know that at Victoria Police we will believe you and we will take action to protect you and your loved ones.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence please seek help from police or a support service.
Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or safesteps@safesteps.org.au
In an emergency call Triple Zero. If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
