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Family violence is any violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships (Victorian Government 2022).  It can include, but is not limited to, physical violence, sexual violence, psychological and emotional abuse and coercive control.

This page presents an analysis of data published by the Crime Statistics Agency. Two things should be noted when interpreting the information on this page:

  1. Family violence often goes unreported. A 2016 survey of more than 21,000 people across Australia indicated that 18% of women and less than 3% of men subjected to violence by a current partner had ever contacted police about it (Australian Bureau of Statistics personal safety statistics, 2017). Findings like this suggest that police data is likely to substantially underestimate the incidence of family violence.
  2. Police data on family violence is indicative of victims’ confidence to report family violence, improvements in police practices in identifying and recording family violence incidents, as well as the actual incidence of family violence. The Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016, p. 52) states ‘Increases in recorded cases might reflect higher reporting rates or improved skill or effort in identifying family violence’.

Number and nature of incidents

Police recorded 1,119 family violence incidents in Boroondara during 2024, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. While the incident rate has risen, it remains well below the Victorian average and has not surpassed the peak recorded in 2002 (Figure 1).

Figure 1 is a line chart which shows that the rate of recorded family violence incidents in Boroondara per 100,000 population has gone from 585 in 2020 to 628 in 2024, with a peak of 648 in 2022. The Victorian rate has gone from 1399 in 2020 to a peak of 1504 in 2024.

Figure 1: The number of family violence incidents per 100,000 population recorded by police has remained relatively stable in Boroondara every year since 2020. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025.

Donut chart which shows that 91.1% of family violence incidents recorded in Boroondara during 2023-24 occurred at a residential location. That is, in a dwelling or the surrounding grounds or outbuildings.

Figure 2: 9 in 10 family violence incidents recorded in Boroondara during 2023–24 occurred in a dwelling or the surrounding grounds or outbuildings. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025.

a bar chart which shows the types of abuse recorded for family violence incidents in Boroondara during 2023-24: Verbal representing 39.8% of incidents, emotional 30%, physical 15.4%, other abuse 8.9%, economic abuse 3.5% and sexual abuse 2.3%. An incident can involve multiple types of abuse.

Figure 3: The most frequently recorded type of abuse recorded for Boroondara family violence incidents in 2023-24 was verbal abuse, with over 550 incidents. An incident can involve multiple types of abuse. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025.

Figure 4: The most commonly recorded offence type for family violence incidents in Boroondara in 2023-24 was ‘breach of family violence order. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025.

Who is affected 

Family violence is most often thought of as occurring between intimate partners or immediate relations living in the same home. Family violence can also be perpetrated by someone in the same household who is in a ‘family-like relationship’ (such as a carer), or within relationships where there is cultural recognition by the community of a ‘family-like’ relationship (such as in Aboriginal communities) (Safe Steps 2023).

donut chart which shows that a child witnessed or was an affected family member in 38.1% of recorded family violence incidents in Boroondara in 2023-24.

Figure 5: A person under 18 years witnessed or was otherwise affected by more than one in three family violence incidents in Boroondara during 2023–24. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025

a donut chart which shows that 70.7% of family members affected by family violence in Boroondara in 2024 were female.

Figure 6: 7 out of 10 family members affected by family violence in Boroondara during 2024 were female. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025.

bar chart which shows the age group recorded for family members affected by family violence incidents in Boroondara during 2024. 147 children, aged 18 and under were affected, 97 family members aged 18-24, 215 aged 25-34, 232 aged 25-44, 225 aged 45-54 and 191 55+

Figure 7: Family members affected by family violence in Boroondara in 2024 were of all age groups, with those aged 35–54 representing over 40%, and 147 children under 18 being affected. Source: Crime Statistics Agency 2025.

Further information

Family violence takes many forms and occurs across all social groups. While physical violence may be the most visible form, other forms of violence and abuse are also harmful. 

Women and children are most commonly the victims of family violence. Some communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds may experience more severe forms or higher rates of family violence due to inequality and discrimination (Respect Victoria 2023).To find out more about the prevalence and impacts of family violence in Victoria and Australia visit Safe and Equal.

Support services

If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

For more information about who to contact if you are concerned about abuse or violence in your relationship, see our Family violence support page. 

For other support services, see our Mental health and crisis support page.

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