Police urge vigilance on family violence over grand final weekend
Family violence rates in Bass Coast and South Gippsland remain above the state average as police warn of heightened risk this weekend
VICTORIA Police is urging the community to look out for each other over the AFL grand final weekend, warning family violence risk rises when families spend extended time together.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said while there had not been a significant increase in family violence incidents on grand final day or the extended weekend in recent years, offenders could use the extra contact to escalate abusive behaviour.
Crime Statistics Agency data shows there were 315 family violence incidents across Victoria on the 2025 AFL grand final day, up from 301 the year before and in line with a regular Saturday, while 868 incidents were recorded across the grand final weekend, unchanged on 2024.
That has not always been the case, with then Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton saying in 2018 that police saw about a 20 per cent increase in family violence incidents on grand final day, calling grand final night one of the force’s busiest of the year for family violence.
Support service Berry Street said this week it had seen more than a 50 per cent increase in calls in the week following the grand final.
“There is never an excuse for family violence and Victoria Police will ensure each crime is investigated and all offenders are held to account,” the spokesperson said.
Specialist family violence officers will be available across the grand final period.
The warning comes as Crime Statistics Agency figures released on Thursday show family violence rates in Bass Coast and South Gippsland remain above the state average.
Police recorded 815 family incidents in Bass Coast and 493 in South Gippsland in the 12 months to June, down from 932 and 604 the year before.
That equates to 1807 incidents per 100,000 people in Bass Coast and 1575 in South Gippsland, against a state rate of 1429.
Breaches of family violence orders stand out locally, with 672 recorded in Bass Coast and 424 in South Gippsland.
Bass Coast’s rate of breaches was the 15th highest of Victoria’s 79 municipalities and South Gippsland’s the 20th highest, both well above the state average.
Bass Coast also recorded the eighth highest rate of family violence common assaults in the state, with 163 offences, while family violence serious assaults in the shire rose from 64 to 92.
Statewide, family violence incidents fell 3.4 per cent, although family violence serious assaults rose 15.8 per cent and police made about 16,500 family violence arrests, a record level of enforcement.
Anyone in immediate danger should call Triple Zero (000).
Support is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 and 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
