- 14 new specialist family and domestic violence
officers are bolstering frontline response across Western Australia
- Family Safety Officers will work alongside
police and other agencies to support victim-survivors and help engage high-risk
perpetrators
- State Government warns of an expected spike in
family and domestic violence rates over the Christmas period
Frontline responses to
family and domestic violence in Western Australia have been boosted with 14
newly created roles across seven metropolitan and regional areas.
The
Family Safety Officer positions will enhance existing Family and Domestic
Violence Response Teams (FDVRT), which are made up of staff from the Department
of Communities, WA Police Force and the non-government sector, and provide a
coordinated Family and Domestic Violence Response Services to victim-survivors
and perpetrators.
The FDVRT model aims to
improve the safety of child and adult victim-survivors, connect people to
wrap-around support services and strengthen perpetrator accountability.
The new recruits are
leading an integrated approach to deliver intensive intervention, safety
planning and support to those who are considered at the highest risk of harm.
The boost to frontline
responses comes as the Cook Government warns of an expected spike in family and
domestic violence rates over the Christmas period.
WA Police Force figures
show a steep rise in reported family violence incidents during the Christmas
holiday period when compared to the daily average.
The new Family Safety
Officer positions are already active within FDVRT teams in Perth, Midland,
Joondalup, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and South West and will soon start in
Mirrabooka.
They
are the first of 34 positions to be rolled out as part of the Cook Government's
$10.7 million commitment to bolstering frontline responses to family and
domestic violence in WA.
The recruitment
announcement occurs during the State Government's 16 Days in WA to Stop
Violence Against Women campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the issue.
The theme for 2023 is
"Stopping Family Violence: Play Your Part", which encourages everyone to
consider their role in ending family and domestic violence.
For more information
about how you can play your part, go to 16days.wa.gov.au.
Comments attributed to
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"There is no doubt family
and domestic violence is a major problem in Australia and here in WA, and
tragically, we know that the Christmas-New Year period sees a rise in these
incidents.
"By creating new
specialist frontline positions, we are boosting our response to family and
domestic violence. These positions will provide a dedicated response to
high-risk, high-harm cases of family and domestic violence and will be a key
interface between existing supports and the local community.
"Raising awareness of the
scourge of family and domestic violence through the 16 Days in WA campaign
gives us the opportunity to change the conversation, to change attitudes and
behaviours in our homes, communities and workplaces to end violence against women.
"Everyone has the
right to live free from this violence."
Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:
"It's a sad fact that police
respond to a significant increase in the number of family and domestic violence
incidents at this time of year.
"Police do an
incredible job responding to these abhorrent crimes but we all need to play our
part.
"I urge people to speak
up if they have safety concerns for themselves, loved ones or neighbours.
"We hope by raising
awareness of this issue through the 16 Days in WA campaign, we can reduce - and
ultimately end - this scourge on society."
People experiencing
family and domestic violence can call the Women's Domestic Violence Helpline
1800 007 339, or Men's Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 000 599, or the national
Helpline 1800 RESPECT.
