Family violence didn’t discriminate this long weekend

ACT Policing responded to 27 reports of family violence over the long weekend (30 September to 3 October). The incidents included contravening protection orders, disturbances, property damage, common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation.

Over the weekend, ACT Policing officers removed offenders from the location of the incidents, facilitated access to the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and put eight offenders before court on 16 charges, with investigations into a number of these incidents still continuing.

Detective Acting Sergeant Suzanne Preston of ACT Policing’s Family Violence Team said a person’s age, gender, sexual orientation, occupation or socioeconomic status does not matter - family violence does not discriminate.

“The relationship between the victims and offenders of these incidents included parents, children, extended family and in-laws, current partners and ex-partners,” Detective Acting Sergeant Preston said.

“Males and females were identified as offenders, and males and females were identified as victims.”

“The offenders range in age from their teens to in their 70s with these offences occurring in private homes, vehicles and in public spaces like the street and nightclubs.”

ACT Policing assures the public that police are here to help with whatever your situation may be. If you are not comfortable talking to police, there are services such as the Domestic Violence Crisis Service that can provide support.

Additional information on family violence and avenues for support are available on ACT Policing’s website: https://www.police.act.gov.au/safety-and-security/family-violence

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au