As the AFL grand final weekend nears, authorities and support organisations are preparing for an expected spike in cases.
What’s happening: East Gippsland has the worst family and domestic violence rates per per capita in Victoria, according to the latest figures (2025) from Gippsland Family Violence Alliance.
There were 2,479 incidents recorded in the shire in 2025, including 684 breaches of intervention orders. This was an 8.2 percent increase in incidents compared to 2024.
Latrobe Valley had the second highest rates of family and domestic violence per capita in the state, with Victoria police recording 2,980 incidents.
Wellington Shire was the ninth worst in the state, with Victoria police recording 1,393 incidents.
Adding to these numbers is the likelihood that family and domestic violence rates tend to rise over grand final weekend, which will be taking place next weekend.
In 2018, former Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton told The Age police prepare for a 20 percent spike in violence against women on AFL Grand Final day each year.
Why is there an increase?
Head of Family Violence Prevention and Response at Quantum Support Services, Leslie Smith, told the Monitor of “contributing factors” in the rise of family violence in Gippsland.
“It could be the economic stress that families are under. It could be the housing crisis. It could be job security - that all contributes to stress in families.”
Quantum Support Services offers confidential help to people experiencing family violence in Gippsland. This includes safety planning and housing.
“Family violence just doesn't discriminate. It's something that can happen to anybody, no matter your economic status, where you live, who you are. We see everybody from all walks of life come through our doors for support.”
Our Watch and research from the University of Melbourne pointed to an increase in alcohol consumption, substance abuse and problem gambling over the grand final weekend as the main drivers of increased family and domestic violence.
Early prevention is key
Smith said although there were numerous support services in Gippsland, “we desperately need money for early intervention and prevention”.
“It’s not funded anywhere near enough to stop violence from occurring. Until it is funded adequately, we're always going to be assisting clients after the violence has occurred, rather than preventing the violence from occurring.”
Early intervention refers to programs that work with those most at risk of perpetrating or experiencing family violence, to prevent it from starting.
This includes school programs and workshops for boys and men who are at risk of using violence, to help them to change their behaviour and understanding of relationships.
If you’re a victim of family violence or you know someone who needs help, contact Safe Steps at 1800 015 188 for 24/7 support.
In Gippsland, Quantum Support Services and Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault are able to provide resources and support.
In an emergency, call 000.