Chapter 1: OT & Family Harm

Question 1

Police Response Principles

Early intervention

Answer 1

Police Response Principles
Early intervention

• helps to stop and prevent family harm
• requires eyes wide open approach at all family harm investigations

Question 2

Police Response Principles

Culturally appropriate

Answer 2

Police Response Principles
Culturally appropriate

• responses to family harm should be culturally appropriate
• responses involving Maori should reflect tikanga
• a sensitive approach that acknowledges the culture of those involved and provides culturally appropriate solutions, as relevant

Question 3

Police Response Principles

Safety

Answer 3

Police Response Principles
Safety

• ensuring all parties are made safe and kept safe
• victims safety is paramount
• before leaving the premises the attending officers must ensure they have no concerns regarding the child’s safety
• officers must also be aware that attending family harm episodes is one of the most dangerous parts of their job
• officers must take precautions to secure their own safety

Question 4

Police Response Principles

Collecting risk information

Answer 4

Police Response Principles
Collecting risk information

• collecting this information enable effective assessment, planning and risk management to victims; and
• guide decisions around appropriate actions for offenders
• family harm processes include the SAFVR measure and dynamic risk assessment at the scene which combined determine the total concern for safety
• the total concern for safety also contributes to a multi-agency risk score when combined with the risk assessed by other agencies

Question 5

Police Response Principles

Accountability

Answer 5

Police Response Principles
Accountability

• holding predominant aggressors and offenders to account for their actions; by
• activating a prompt and comprehensive response
• this includes undertaking a thorough quality family harm investigation and where evidence of criminal offending exists
• the decision to charge and filing a charge will reflect the nature of the offending and be made in accordance with the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines
• supportive interventions to change offender behaviours, directing them into programmes that will stop and prevent harm

Question 6

Police Response Principles

Working collaboratively

Answer 6

Police Response Principles
Working collaboratively

• coordinate responses to family harm through Family Violence Coordinators; across
• FHTs, CPTs, ASA Teams, Youth Aid and Youth Education Teams, CIB, Iwi/Pacific Liaison Officers and other frontline employees
• multi-agency table response that aims to enhance information sharing and meet the multiple and varied needs of families
• provide quality information to multi-agency tables which enables the best support for families in need
• apply active case management principles and processes