Family Harm

Question 1

List the principles that guide Police practice

In relation to family harm

Answer 1

• early intervention
• culturally appropriate
• safety
• collecting risk information
• accountability
• working collaboratively

Question 2

Regarding early intervention, what mindset should Police adopt when attending family harm episodes?

Answer 2

An “eyes wide open” approach

Question 3

What should the cultural response be for officers attending family harm?

Answer 3

It should be culturally appropriate and, in particular, responses involving Maori should reflect tikanga.

Question 4

Regarding safety, what should officers ensure before leaving a family harm episode?

Answer 4

• That all parties are made safe and kept safe, particularly victims, whose safety is paramount.
• That officers have no concern regarding any child’s safety.
• Whilst attending the job, that officers take the necessary precautions to secure their own safety.

Question 5

What does collecting specific risk information enable?

Answer 5

It enables effective assessment, planning and risk management to victims and to guide decisions around appropriate actions for offenders.

Question 6

How can we hold offenders to account?

Answer 6

• By activating a prompt and comprehensive response which includes undertaking a thorough FH investigation. Where evidence of criminal offending exists, the decision to charge will be appropriate and take into account SG guidelines.
• Directing offenders to supportive programs to change their behaviour.

Question 7

What must Police do to work collaboratively?

Answer 7

• Coordinate responses to FH across different work groups
• Be part of a multi-table agency response
• Provide quality information to multi-agency tables which enables the best support for families in need
• apply active case management principles and processes

Question 8

Are there any limitations when it comes to who suffers from family harm?

Answer 8

No. It is important to remember family harm can impact anyone, including occurring in families who are affluent

Question 9

How is family violence related to family harm?

Answer 9

Family violence is a SUBSET OF family harm

Question 10

What can family violence include?

Answer 10

It can include physical, sexual or psychological abuse within domestic relationships. There may be behaviour that is coercive or controlling and causes cumulative harm.

Question 11

What is a Duluth power and control wheel?

Answer 11

It highlights the tactics of abuse most universally experienced by battered women.

Question 12

What % of IPV victims report having a pet harmed or killed?

Answer 12

36.5%

Question 13

Name another concept that helps to explain family harm dynamics

Answer 13

Entrapment and resistance - victims are trapped by an abusive partner’s coercive and controlling behaviors. Victims often need external help to extract themselves and may use violence to wrench themselves free.

Question 14

What are the majority of family harm investigations that Police record?

Answer 14

Intimate partner violence

Question 15

Who is mostly the predominant aggressor?

Answer 15

Male

Question 16

Who is mostly the primary victim?

Answer 16

Female

Question 17

What type of violence are men more likely to use?

Answer 17

Violence that results in serious injury, intimidation and fear

Question 18

How do women use violence?

Answer 18

More likely to use it in self defence aka resistive violence

Question 19

What percentage of family harm episodes have children present?

Answer 19

50%

Question 20

What is an area of increasing concern in family harm?

Answer 20

The use of technology eg, sending abusive messages/emails, stalking, harrassment, spying on and monitoring victims through the use of tracking systems

Question 21

Why is it important to obtain corroborating evidence at FH episodes?

Answer 21

If the victim becomes uncooperative you have evidence that backs up what they originally said happened.

Question 22

List different types of corroborating evidence and where should you attach it?

Answer 22

• medical examinations and doctor’s reports
• photographs of injuries
• scene examination evidence, including photographs and scene diagrams
• clothing
• witness statements
• 111 call
• previous FH reports
• electronic evidence (texts etc)
• admissions by offenders

You should attach it to the investigation in NIA

Question 23

Why is it important to interview all important witnesses early in the investigation?

Answer 23

They may become reluctant later on and wish to withdraw or change their statement.

Question 24

What act and section gives Police the ability to get evidence sworn which can be used later?

Answer 24

S82 Evidence Act 2006

Question 25

What is the time limit for an adult family violence complainant giving evidence by video recording?

Answer 25

Two weeks after the alleged episode

Question 26

Can you formally interview a child abuse victim or child witness to a serious crime?

Answer 26

No. This must be done by a specialist child witness interviewer. You can however still conduct a preliminary interview with them during initial attendance as part of identifying their role and the wider safety assessment.

Question 27

What is good practice when making decisions around how to deal with FH offending?

Answer 27

• Consult the “How and when you charge makes a difference” guide (available through the intranet)
• Consult your supervisor or FH Co-ordinator/FH Specialist

Question 28

What should you do if there is insufficient evidence to charge someone for a FH offence?

Answer 28

Consider a PSO

Question 29

What must you NOT do if there is insufficient evidence to prosecute someone for a FH offence?

Answer 29

Issue them with a warning

Question 30

When a protection order or related property order has been breached AND there is evidential sufficiency to prove a charge,

What must you do?

Answer 30

1. Charge the offender for the breach
2. Not release the offender on Police bail for 24 hours unless there is a court hearing earlier than this where court bail can be determined.

Question 31

What section of the Bail Act applies which prevents Police from being able to give bail to offenders arrested for breaching protection orders?

Answer 31

S7(2)