The number of Wyndham children being killed by their parents is ‘disproportionately high’ and could be reduced if more health and welfare services were in place, a Monash University academic says.
Dr Thea Brown, co-director of the Monash Filicide Project, said there was a higher number of such cases in Wyndham than in other areas, and one explanation was the relative absence of health and welfare services accessible to residents.
Filicide is the act of killing one’s own son or daughter.
Dr Brown said that in examining files from the state coroner’s office, researchers had noticed a disproportionate number of murdered children from 2000 to 2009 lived in the Wyndham area.
She said she was unable to reveal how many as she believed that could make victims identifiable.
She said services lacking included general practitioners, criminal justice, child protection, family counselling, family court and mental health services.
“Our studies show a large number of perpetrators had psychiatric problems, and there is a lack of psychiatric services,” Dr Brown said.
“A constant array of support services means fewer families will fall through the safety net. Good supportive services reduce the overall numbers.
“My view is that Wyndham council needs to get involved in a major planning and service exercise, which other councils have done in the past.”
Lack of co-ordination
Denis Nelthorpe, chief executive of community legal centre WEstJustice, said Wyndham had an issue with its co-ordination and accessibility of services.
“Family law matters and complex family violence matters are rarely heard at the Werribee Magistrates Court,” he said. “They are commonly referred to Sunshine and Melbourne. There are also no support services for men.”
CAROL MUIR SAYS THERE’S A LACK OF HEALTH AND WELFARE INFRASTRUCTURE IN WYNDHAM.
Also lacking were specialist services such as those provided by counsellors and psychiatrists.
“There is no doubt in my mind that these services being inaccessible has an impact on [filicide],” he said.
Carol Muir, the chief executive of local welfare agency Werribee Support and Housing, agreed that there was a lack of infrastructure in health and welfare across the municipality.
“We have such a dramatic shortage of GPs and specialists in the region,” she said.
“The earlier you can intervene, the better. Generally, if you can access support services in the local area, it minimises the risks that can occur.”
She said residents might also struggle to find money to access services.
Wyndham murder rate
Figures released by the Crime Statistics Agency last week reveal Wyndham recorded 11 homicides in 2015, the most of any Victorian municipality.
The figure includes murder, manslaughter, culpable driving, and attempted murder.
Wyndham council did not respond to Star Weekly’s request for comment by deadline.
