Families Flashcards
When do the Family Harm policies and procedures apply?
Where Police attend a family harm episode and the parties involved are:
Currently or formerly in an intimate partner relationship or are family members
When do the Family Harm policies and procedures not apply?
When the parties involved are:
Flatmates or
In a close personal relationship but are not current or former intimate partners or family members
What are the principles that guide police practice?
Early intervention
Culturally appropriate
Safety
Collecting risk information
Accountability
Working collaboratively
Early intervention
Recognising that early intervention helps to stop and prevent family harm. This requires an EYES WIDE OPEN approach
Culturally appropriate
Responses to family harm should be culturally appropriate which requires a sensitive approach. Acknowledge the culture of those involved and provide culturally appropriate solutons
Safety
Ensure all parties are made safe and kept safe.
The victims safety is Paramount, this includes facilitating access to support services to help secure safety
Children are vulnerable, before leaving the premises, officers must be sure they have no concerns regarding any child’s safety
Attending family harm episodes can be dangerous, officers must secure their own safety
Collecting risk information
Collect specific risk information to enable effective assessment, planning and risk management to victims and to guide decisions around appropriate actions for offenders.
Includes the SAFVR (static assessment for family violence recidivism) and dynamic risk assessment at the scene which combines to determine the total concern for safety.
Accountability
Holding predominant aggressors and offenders to account for their actions, using a prompt and comprehensive response.
Undertake a thorough family harm investigation, when there is evidence of criminal offending, the decision to charge and filing of a charge will reflect the nature of the offending.
Where offenders may benefit from supportive intervention to change their behaviours, direct them into a programme that will stop and prevent harm.
Work collaboratively
Coordinate responses to family harm through family violence coordinators, relevant internal work groups
Provide quality information to multi agency tables which enables the best support for families in need.
Apply active case management principles and processes
Warnings for family harm episodes
Warnings must not be issued without specific authority from a supervisor following full discussion of the circumstances.
Warnings can not be issued if their is insufficient evidence to prosecute
Procedures for family harm investigation
Review information
Create a family harm investigation
Enter premises
Undertake a quality family harm investigation to establish if an offence has occurred
Establish context and circumstances, identify the parties and their roles and undertake interviews
Complete Dynamic assessment
Determine total concern for safety
Complete Frontline safety plan
Record quality narrative
Submit family harm investigation
Provide information to other agencies
