More than 5,700 apprehended violence order compliance checks have been conducted by officers in the state’s south since early April, as police continue to target high-risk domestic-violence offenders.
Operation Making Families Safer 2020 commenced on Wednesday 1 April 2020, aimed at reducing and preventing domestic violence in the Southern Region as part of the NSW Police Force’s continued commitment to tackling domestic and family violence.
General duties police from eight police districts, assisted by specialist police from the Southern Region’s Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team (DVHROT), Proactive Crime Team and Region Enforcement Squad (RES) were involved in the operation, showing strong support for victims while also holding offenders accountable for their actions.
Officers conducted 2,900 compliance checks in April and 2,800 in May across the following commands:
– Lake Illawarra
– Monaro
– Murray River
– Murrumbidgee
– Riverina
– South Coast
– The Hume
– Wollongong
Police detected 274 breaches of apprehended violence orders during April and 252 breaches during May.
Acting Southern Region Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Greg Moore APM said police will continue to exercise zero tolerance.
“Our officers have and will continue to actively knock on the doors of those known to police to keep perpetrators accountable for their actions and to show support for victims who often find themselves in vulnerable situations,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Moore said.
“We have been keeping a close eye on crime throughout this pandemic, and that includes those crimes committed within the home.
“Domestic violence is a criminal offence and we’re not just talking about physical assaults; it includes verbal, psychological, mental and emotional abuse.
“As well as targeting those with a history of offending, we will continue to act on information received from the community to ensure domestic violence perpetrators are dealt with swiftly and appropriately,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Moore said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott, said the protection of victims is paramount.
“Our dedicated NSW Police officers are on the front foot targeting high risk domestic violence offenders to ensure they are held accountable and victims are kept as safe,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police are not only on the beat ensuring the communities safety during the COVID – 19 pandemic, they’re also conducting thousands of Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) compliance checks across the state.
“I’m pleased to see the exemplary work of local police working in close coordination with other government agencies and the community in the best interests of victims and their families.”
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic or family violence, multiple services are available to provide immediate support.
Available services include:
- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) is a confidential information, counselling and support service;
- NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) is a statewide telephone crisis counselling and referral service for women;
- Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) provide telephone counselling, information and referrals for men;
- Link2³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ (1800 152 152) can help refer women experiencing domestic violence to crisis accommodation; and
- Lifeline (13 11 14) is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
If you are in danger or in an emergency, always contact Triple Zero (000).
The operation is expected to be run again later on this year.
