How WA Police Respond to SSDV (Part 1)

We encourage all victims of FDV to report the incidents to police so action can be taken to stop the violence

The following text has been provided by WA Police to assist us in educating the DSG community on how to report domestic violence to the police and to ensure their safety at all times.

“Western Australia Police is committed to protecting victims and children subject to family and domestic violence, through a quality first response, timely commencement of an investigation, harm minimisation through referral to support agencies, and the behaviour modification and prosecution of offenders.”  (WA Police Annual Business Plan 2009 – 2010).

WA Police recognises that Family and Domestic Violence (FDV), commonly known as domestic violence, affects all areas of society, including a variety of socio economic groups, culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities and people of Diverse Sexuality and Gender (DSG).  

Furthermore, WA Police is aware some victims of family and domestic violence, in particular groups and people of DSG, are cautious or reluctant to report FDV, for a variety of complex reasons. With this in mind, we are working, in conjunction with organisations like the Same Sex Domestic Abuse Group (SSDAG) at improving community awareness and confidence in the WA Police. 

WA Police has a pro intervention policy that relies on police officers making an appropriate judgement and decision to address each incident appropriately. During our involvement, police are trained to be mindful of the victim and perpetrators rights and personal wishes. We are also aware of the ‘cycle of violence’ and how it is a key issue as to why the person affected by family and domestic violence continues to face a violent situation. Acknowledging this, WA Police has a pro arrest; pro prosecution policy where evidence of a FDV incident exists. We feel that by suitably dealing with incidents of family and domestic violence through prosecution and / or referral to an appropriate government or non government agency is vital to disrupting this cycle of violence.

WA Police is focused on victim safety and perpetrator accountability. We encourage all victims of FDV to report the incidents to police so action can be taken to stop the violence. This translates to assessing the victim or victim’s safety at incidents, ensuring we have provided appropriate safety measures, and ensuring the perpetrator is held accountable for their actions where the evidence is available to support this.

The following is a brief guide on:

• How WA Police responds to FDV; and

• Key WA Police initiatives which address Same Sex Domestic Violence.        

1. Response to FDV from WA Police

How do I report instances of domestic violence?

By Phone

If the incident of FDV is currently occurring you should call the police number 131444 to have police attend; in the case of an emergency, call 000 for urgent assistance.

Most reports of FDV are initiated by phone with police in general, being obliged by legislation to attend and investigate all reported incidents of domestic violence.

In Person

If the incident has passed and there is no immediate threat or danger you can report the incident in person to your local police station. This will enable police to obtain a statement from you regarding what has occurred.

What will the Police response be?

Police have a legislative responsibility to investigate all reported incidents of Family and Domestic Violence (FDV).  Upon attendance they will assess the situation and take positive action to intervene. This could be in the form of an arrest if there has been a criminal offence and sufficient evidence exists to proceed with a charge.

Police also have a legislative requirement to make application for a Violence Restraining Order (VRO) or issue a Police Order or make a written record as to why neither was obtained.

What is a Police Order?

The issuance of a Police Order can be for either 24 or up to 72 hours, to provide immediate intervention between the disputing parties. Breaching of a Police Order is a criminal offence with the maximum penalty the same as Breaching a VRO, being two years imprisonment or a $5,000 fine. 

What is a Violence Restraining Order (VRO)?

A VRO is an Order issued by a Magistrate that imposes restraints on the lawful activities and behaviour of a respondent (excluded or prohibited person). These restraints may vary and are made as the court considers appropriate to prevent a respondent from committing an act of abuse against the person seeking to be protected.

An application for a VRO may be made by the person seeking to be protected or on their behalf by a police officer or in the case of a child a Child Welfare Officer.

What kinds of resources does WA Police have to deal with Family and Domestic Violence?

Frontline police officers will be the first respondents to most time sensitive incidents of FDV. In addition to frontline officers, each police district in Western Australia has a Family Protection Coordinator (Coordinator) who is an officer of the rank of Sergeant. The role of this officer (and his/her staff) in the Family Protection Unit attend to the following:

• ensure frontline officers adhere to WA Police policy and WA State Legislation on Family and Domestic Violence when attending these types of incidents

• identify couples and families affected by recidivist incidents of FDV

• work with other government and non government agencies to develop strategies to intervene with these couples and families. 

The Coordinators are in essence each district’s referral point for all matters pertaining to FDV within that area. 

The Coordinator’s receive specialist training in SSDV.

Your local police station can provide you with the name and contact details of your local Family Protection Coordinator. To find your local police station go to http://www.police.wa.gov.au/Localpolice/tabid/885/Default.aspx or call 131 444.

The WA Police - Indigenous and Community Diversity Unit also supports People of Diverse Sexuality and Gender in several ways. A Senior Community Diversity Officer within this unit is responsible for:

•           assisting and advising internal training mechanisms on DSG issues

•           reviewing corporate policy on DSG issues

•           community engagement

•           linking members of the public with appropriate frontline policing resources.

Call 9222 1541 or 9222 1576 during office hours for more information.