Survey to gauge violence perspectives

WA Centre for Rural Health researchers have launched a survey to determine what people think about family violence within the City of Greater Geraldton.

Last financial year, more than 1800 cases related to assault, threats and restraining order breaches against family were heard in Geraldton courts.

About 68 per cent of restraining order violations led to a punishment, while only about 20 per cent of threat and assault cases resulted in a penalty.

According to WACRH, the family assault rate in the Mid West and Gascoyne region between July, 2017 and June, 2018 was double the State average and about 17 per cent higher than the rate for regional WA.

WACRH director Professor Sandra Thompson described family and domestic violence as a “major health issue in Geraldton”.

“While there are surveys that measure FDV at a national level, there is currently nothing suitable to do so at a community level,” she said.

“WACRH is leading the way in developing a survey that can be used to highlight issues related to family violence at a local level.

“We need a wide range of the community to complete the survey to give us robust information on local residents’ perspectives.

“We would like every adult in the City of Greater Geraldton to complete the survey, whether or not they have personal experience of family and domestic violence.”

The survey results will shape policy related to violence response and prevention.

The 10-15 minute survey can be accessed at wacrh.uwa.edu.au/survey.