With at least four reports of domestic violence incidents to attend each day, members of the Melton Family Violence Unit have their work cut out.
But each day Sergeant Ken Anderson and leading senior constables Stephanie Cawsey and Luke Bristow look through every incident that is reported and decide what action needs to be taken.
They call victims to let them know they are there for them; they knock on the doors of frightened women to make sure they are OK; and they hand out toys to terrified children who have seen too much violence in their short lives.
Sergeant Anderson told Star Weekly the group doesn’t rest until their victims find freedom. “If you’ve got trouble at home, you can call us … we’ll ensure you’ll have a safe existence at home. Every victim and child has a right to be safe at home and we’re going to make sure that happens.”
Senior Constable Bristow said the small team worked day and night to see offenders punished for their crimes.
Inspector Stephen Mutton said apart from police assistance there were also free services like Women’s Health West and the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre that help victims deal with financial and social difficulties. H
e said the unit’s aim was to curb the increase of recidivist offenders.
“We work with different communities. It’s about education; we won’t tolerate [violence], you don’t tolerate it either.”
RELATED
Unit has my back, says brave mum
Big blue over police taskforce plan
