- Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Frontline police officers across Victoria now have access to a new family violence reporting tool to ensure timely and more accurate incident reports can be filed in the field.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville today joined Family Violence Command Assistant Commissioner Dean McWhirter to announce the state-wide launch of the new Family Violence Report, after a successful two-year pilot.
The new tool allows police to make better decisions based on the information they collect when they respond to a family violence incident, 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 to protect more victims and hold more perpetrators to account.
The launch complements the recent completion of the mobile device rollout to frontline police, including 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.
The Andrews Labor Government has delivered $2.7 billion to implement all 227 recommendations and deliver reforms that will keep women and children safe.
This has been supported by record funding of more than $3 billion for police, with 3,135 new frontline police, new police resources and stronger police powers and laws.
This investment includes 415 family violence specialists who are transforming Victoria Police’s approach to our number one law and order challenge.
As stated by Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
“Victoria Police respond to a family violence incident every seven minutes on average, making it our number one law and order issue.”
“This new reporting tool gives our frontline police the ability to make faster, more accurate reports as they’re responding to a family violence incident, better protecting victims and providing timelier referrals to support services.”
“We’re giving Victoria Police the tools, resources and equipment they need to keep Victorians safe and address the scourge of family violence.”
As noted by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
“We’re 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.”
