'The whole thing is just magnified': regional Victoria's shameful statistics

Four of the six women killed in Victoria since the start of 2024 have died in regional areas, despite the fact country Victoria holds just 23 per cent of the population.

Police data from 2023 shows a similar pattern, with the top 26 LGAs for family violence serious assaults being in regional Victoria.

ACM asked Premier Jacinta Allan's office whether there were any actions planned to target regional areas.

A spokesperson said the Premier was setting up a family and gender violence task force, which would look at all levels and assess where changes needed to be made, but there were no specific plans for regional Victoria at this stage.

While this year's killings have sparked community outrage, they are a small part of a broader culture of family and gender violence where women endure daily brutality, intimidation and terror, and where country areas are again the most dangerous place to be.

Victoria's Crime Statistics Agency draws on police data to break down several serious crimes - such as assaults - into "family violence" and "non family violence" incidents.

The top 26 LGAs for family violence serious assaults in 2023 were in regional Victoria.

Greater Shepparton, the worst LGA, with a rate of 379.3 incidents per 100,000 people, is nearly three times the rate of Wyndham, the worst Melbourne LGA.

The most dangerous areas for women aren't confined to one part of Victoria. Swan Hill in the state's north, East Gippsland in the far east, Horsham in the far west, along with Benalla and Shepparton in the centre, make up the top five spots on the list.

The higher rates of family violence can't be blamed on higher crime rates in country areas.

General crime rates in the regions are similar to the metro Melbourne rates, but when you filter down to "family incidents" many regional areas turn a deep red on the map.

Family incidents include family violence incidents as well as domestic sexual offences and child abuse.

East Gippsland, and Mitchell Shire south of Bendigo were the worst areas, with a rate of about 3600 incidents per 100,000 people. Frankston on Melbourne's south-east fringe was the worst metro area with a rate of just over 2000, barely half that of the regional hot spots.

In Bendigo alone police responded to 4500 family violence incidents over the past 12 months.

Many of the factors that promote or exacerbate family and gender violence are more intense in regional areas.

Chief executive of Ballarat's WRISC Family Violence Support Inc, Libby Jewson, said country areas had fewer support services, fewer police, and fewer options overall for women trying to escape a violent partner or home environment.

"Seeking help generally is much more difficult in rural and regional areas, and there's a much greater chance of isolation, which also increases risk," Ms Jewson said.

"Then in terms of gender equality, the gap is greater and that's generally because of attitudes and understanding of role of men and women and the role that the man within family, employment and social structures.

"So it just seems the whole thing in rural and regional areas is just magnified."

The Victorian Premier has established a task force to address the spike in violence and killings.

In her home town of Bendigo on April 26, Ms Allan said far too many women had already lost their lives this year.

"This simply has to stop," Ms Allan said.

"As a government we do have a responsibility to both lead and act."

The task force is assessing a range of measures such as stricter bail laws and tougher penalties for perpetrators who break apprehended violence orders.

Victoria already spends more than the other states and territories combined on family violence services, thanks largely to its landmark 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence, yet demand for those services has never been higher, especially in the regions.

While the Premier's office couldn't outline any regional-specific plan, it wasn't being ruled out.

Ms Jewson said more funding was always essential, especially because managing a family violence case in a small, tight-knit community was always more complex than in a big city.

"We get the same funding per unit as the metro services... so that would be a really important thing to consider," Ms Jewson said.

"We really need to address demand and our capacity to respond, because you know demand is just so strong out here."

Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732