Frontline police officers across Victoria, Australia now have access to a new family violence reporting tool to ensure timely and more accurate incident reports can be filed in the field.
According to a recent press release, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville joined Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Dean McWhirter in announcing the state-wide launch of the new Family Violence Report, after a successful two-year pilot.
Family Violence Report tool
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville explained that Victoria Police responds to a family violence incident every seven minutes on average, making it their number one law and order issue.
This new reporting tool gives the frontline police the ability to make faster, more accurate reports as they are responding to a family violence incident.
This will better protect the victims and provide timelier referrals to support services.
The new tool allows police to make better decisions based on the information they collect when they respond to a family violence incident, thereby improving accuracy and ensuring prompt referrals.
Officers can use their mobile devices to make the report, which provides greater guidance for risk assessment and management in order to protect more victims and hold more perpetrators to account.
The launch complements the recent completion of the mobile device rollout to frontline police.
This includes general duties officers, highway patrol members, the operations response unit, transit and protective services officers.
The new tool was piloted in Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Wyndham, Brimbank and Melton. Police officers found it had a positive impact for victims and on their own work.
The reporting tool delivers on one of 277 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Background of the initiative
The Andrews Labor Government has delivered AU$ 2.7 billion to implement all 227 recommendations and delivered reforms that will keep women and children safe.
This has been supported by record funding of more than AU$ 3 billion for police; with 3,135 new frontline police, new police resources and stronger police powers and laws.
Moreover, this investment includes 415 family violence specialists who are transforming Victoria Police’s approach to the number one law and order challenge.
The State Government is giving Victoria Police the tools, resources and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and address the scourge of family violence.
The Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams shared that they are addressing family violence with a range of approaches that reflect the Royal Commission’s recommendations and rebuilding the system from the ground up to keep women and children safe.
New Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor
As reported, Former Victorian Corrections Commissioner Jan Shuard PSM has been appointed the new Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor (FVRIM).
The FVRIM was established in 2017 as an independent statutory office responsible for monitoring and reviewing family violence reforms following the Royal Commission.
Reforms keeping women and children safe include support and safety hubs, perpetrator programs, new laws, specialist courts and relationships education in schools, and our world-first reform agenda will continue.
