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Wednesday 4 February 2015
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Smiles better
THE Humanitarian Clowns hope to raise $30,000 to buy a Laughter Bus to bring some happiness to the ill and disadvantaged. The charity was founded by Tim Webster (far left), also known as Timbadim the Clown after he was inspired by working with Dr Patch Adams in Costa Rica. See story, Page 5. Picture: Gary Sissons
Taskforce for family violence Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au RECOGNITION that they “weren’t being effective in tackling family violence” prompted Kingston police to help form Taskforce Alexis in December – and the results are proving its effectiveness. The first operation of its kind in Victoria, the taskforce combines proactive, mental health and family vio-
lence experts in an integrated team. They work to ensure that those affected by family violence in Glen Eira, Bayside and Kingston “get the help they need”. Last year there were 2600 incidents of family violence in these suburbs with children present in 700. Acting Senior Sergeant Fiona Alexander, of Moorabbin’s Proactive Unit, said the taskforce allowed police to specialise in areas of family violence,
mental health, crime prevention and youth. They work alongside a Monash Health mental health clinician and a Salvation Army family violence specialist worker. “We were finding we had no capacity to handle jobs – we were becoming social workers,” she said about the taskforce yesterday. “So we sat down and worked out how to address the issues. “We now have 24 members on the
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team and we will think ‘outside the square’ and go to any lengths to arrest or remand offenders.” In two months, Taskforce Alexis has charged 32 offenders, remanded 15 recidivists, began intensive counselling with 19 families, engaged with 10 youths, conducted six security audits, and helped 160 people suffering from a mental health disorder. Being proactive and well-resourced is the key. “If we think someone is
acting badly we now have the ability to use other resources to catch them,” Acting Senior Sergeant Alexander said, adding that tackling recidivism – repeat offending - was a priority. “For example, we can install CCTV cameras at places where they might go. So, if someone tells us the perpetrator is following them, or visiting them when they shouldn’t, we are able to get the evidence to convict them.” Continued Page 6