Victoria Police launch tool to assess family violence risk

And thanks to Victoria Police’s rollout of new mobile technology, officers will now be able to complete reports, assess risk in family violence matters and make referrals immediately.

With police seeing an increase in demand, Echuca’s Senior Sergeant Mick Caroll said the new tool would help keep our victims safer and hold more abusers to account.

‘‘The members can complete many of the reports while they are at the job and this results in the community getting a quicker follow up response if further work is required,’’ he said.

‘‘This is especially helpful in the field of family violence as referrals to various agencies can be made quickly and if the risk assessment indicates that risk is increased, follow up can be done quickly.’’

The software, which is downloaded on officers’ iPads and iPhones, will offer more targeted questions and quick updates as to the likelihood of the violence escalating within the next 12 months and how dangerous a perpetrator is.

They will be ranked on a scale of one to 15 — the higher the score, the higher the risk, which will help determine who should manage the investigation.

‘‘The tool helps us to identify situations that need further intervention and referrals to support agencies can be made,’’ Sgt Carroll said.

‘‘Police can follow up and charge offenders when a crime has been committed.

‘‘Victims can be confident that police have the information they need to provide them the best possible service and follow up.’’        

In the past month, Echuca police have been called to more than 30 family violence cases.

‘‘We are seeing an increase in demand,’’ Sgt Carroll said.

‘‘People are more aware that they do not have to put up with violence and they are far more confident that they can report the matter and police will take action.’’

Family violence court liaison officer Leading Senior Constable Rhonda Ford has, on average, 10 family violence cases listed at court a week, which includes new and previously adjourned cases.

Snr Constable Ford said the questions asked as part of the risk assessment tool would help to identify victims would need further help so police could then make appropriate referrals and ensure any issues were followed up.

‘‘This gives police a much more concise and clear picture of the incident and also assists to identify cases with a potentially elevated risk of further family violence based on the information police have gathered,’’ she said.

Referrals are made to services like Centre for Non-Violence who has also seen an overall increase in demand across the Campaspe region.

CNV client services general manager Yvette Jaczina said the organisation was very supportive of any tools that helped to better identify family violence risk and the likelihood of future family violence risk and severity of risk.

‘‘It is our hope that this tool supports police to better identify when referrals need to be made to specialist family violence services such as the CNV,’’ she said.

‘‘It is important to note this tool doesn’t replace specialised risk and safety assessments that specialist family violence service staff are trained to undertake.

‘‘CNV will continue to undertake comprehensive risk assessments and work together with police and other system responders to ensure the safety of victims/survivors and hold those who use violence towards family members to account.’’

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.