An innovative project is helping police in Melbourne’s west to identify high-risk cases and reduce harm caused by family violence.
The Westgate (Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong) and Wyndham Family Violence Units have partnered with Swinburne University and Forensicare, also known as the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, for the project.
Westgate Senior Sergeant Brad Lawrence said police officers at Laverton police station were working with psychologists to “identify and mitigate risks” for people affected by family violence.
He said officers from the Family Violence Units reviewed about 400 family violence reports a month filed by front line officers who responded to call-outs.
Of those that are classified as high-risk, psychologists then help police to assess the possibility of further violence in each individual situation.
“We look for a combination of related factors – why the violence is happening and the likelihood of future occurrences,” Senior Sergeant Lawrence said.
He said police would sometimes take into account drug and alcohol use, whether a couple was separated and if there were children involved.
He said that as part of the project, police would tailor their post-violence responses to each affected family member.
The officers also make follow-up phone calls to make sure victims have accessed assistance and services or whether they have a “safety plan” in place.
“What we’re trying to prevent is repeat occurrences in serious family violence,” Senior Sergeant Lawrence said. “It certainly helps the highest-risk cases where specialist and additional police resources are needed.”
He said the project had been running for about a year.
The project, which is funded by the North West Macedon Ranges Medicare Local’s Legacy Grant Scheme and Victoria Police, has also been rolled out in Brimbank and Melton.
Contact the Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188 for assistance.
