SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Family violence spike By Alesha Capone Increases in residential aggravated burglaries, family violence, sexual offences and theft have driven a 14.4 per cent rise in crime across Wyndham in the past 12 months. The total number of crimes recorded in Wyndham in 2019-20 was 17,542, up from 15,328 offences in 2018-19. According to the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency (CSA), figures for 2019-20 included 167 aggravated residential burglaries (up from 81 previously) and 732 non-aggravated residential burglaries (734 previously). Wyndham also recorded 464 sexual offences (366 previously) and 181 aggravated robberies (165 previously). There were 1859 thefts from a motor vehicle (1192 previously), 709 thefts of a motor vehicle (484 previously) and 942 thefts from a retail store (962 previously). The number of drug offences recorded fell from 893 to 832 offences. Assaults and related offences increased to 1573 offences (1324 previously), with 82 assaults against emergency services workers. The assault figures included 970 offences classified as family violence (842 previously). Earlier this month, the CSA released a research paper on crime trends committed since the introduction of Victoria’s first pandemic lockdown in March, through to the end of June. The paper identified that the number of family violence incidents “was significantly higher than what would be expected based on trends over the past five years”. Between March and June, the number of family violence offences recorded in Wyndham rose by 16.4 per cent to 857 offences. No to Violence, Australia’s largest peak body for organisations that work with men who perpetrate violence, expressed concern about the figures. Chief executive Jacqui Watt said: “We are desperately calling on these people [offenders)] to stop before it gets to the point of using violence, give us a call, and sort yourself out.” The CSA also revealed that between March and June, 208 breaches of COVID-19 restrictions were detected in Wyndham. Perpetrators of family violence can contact the No to Violence Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491, and victims can contact the safe steps Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188 or visit www.safesteps.org.au.
Willow, mum Cherie and Skyla. (Joe Mastroianni) 216442–01
Helping teens stay active Point Cook mother Cherie Hawira and her daughters, Skyla and Willow, are helping teenage girls to stay active during the pandemic. Ms Hawira runs Hoppers Crossing fitness studio, Lizard Fitness, as well as the Teen Girls FIT Squad. In March, she moved the teen girls fitness classes – which are aimed at 12-to-17 year olds – online due to the pandemic lockdown. She is now running the 45-minute classes, which consist of a combination of strength,
boxing, HIIT and core work, three times a week via Zoom. Ms Hawira said some of the girls’ families have also joined in the sessions. Willow, 12, and Skyla, 13, have been attending the classes since 2016. They are both helping out their mum by demonstrating the exercises for the Zoom sessions. Ms Hawira said there was a wide range of fitness levels in the teen girls fitness classes. “Some girls have joined us to get fit and lead a healthy lifestyle. Others have joined us to
keep fit while they are unable to play their regular sports or do their other activities. We also offer pre-season and extra training for sports teams.” Ms Hawira said she hoped to continue offering Zoom classes, or joint in-studio and virtual classes, into the future. Details: www.facebook.com/ lizardfitnessstudio, lizardfitness@y7mail. com or 0414 102 737. Alesha Capone
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