Family Harm Flashcards
When it comes to family harm what are the 6 principles that guide police practice?
Early intervention
Culturally appropriate
Safety
Collecting risk information
Accountability
Working collaboratively
I what is ‘early intervention’ in relation to police response to family harm?
Recognising that early intervention helps to stop and prevent family harm. This requires an eyes wide open approach
what is ‘culturally appropriate’? in relation to police response to family harm?
Responses to family harm should be culturally appropriate in particular responses to maori should reflect Tikanga. This requires a sensitive approach that acknowledges culture and provides culturally appropriate solutions
what is ‘Safety’ in relation to police response to family harm?
- ensuring all parties are made safe and kept safe, in particular victims . This may include referring to support services to help secure safety.
- children are particularly vulnerable. Attending Officers must ensure the they have no concerns for the children’s safety.
- officer to be aware that family harm can be one of the most dangerous parts of their job and that precautions may be necessary to secure their own safety.
what is ‘collecting risk information’ in relation to police response to family harm?
- to enable effective assessment, planning, and risk management to victims and to guide decisions around appropriate actions for offenders. The SAFVR measure and the dynamic risk assessment combined determine the total concern for safety.this also contribute to a multi agency risk score when combined with the risk assessed by other agencies.
what is ‘accountability’ in relation to police response to family harm?
Holding predominant aggressors and offenders accountable by activating a prompt and comprehensive response. This includes thorough and quality investigation and charges Brough if offending exists and Aline’s with solicitor-generals prosecution guidelines.
Directing offenders into programmes that will stop and prevent harm if they will benefit from supportive interventions to change their behaviour.
what must police do when ‘working collaboratively’ in relation to police response to family harm?
- Co-ordinate family harm responses across all workgroups
- be part of a co-ordinated collaborative multi agency table response that enhances information sharing and that meets the varied needs of families
- provide quality information the multi agency tables
- apply active case management principles and processes.
What are some of the vulnerabilities (risk factors/adverse circumstances) that contribute to long term negative outcomes in relation to family harm?
Vulnerabilities
Lack of life skills
Lack of Parenting skills
Lack of adequate social networks
Lack of education
Health issues
What are some of the compounding factors (risk factors/adverse circumstances) that contribute to long term negative outcomes in relation to family harm?
Unemployment
Deprivation/poverty
Inadequate housing
Negative cultural attitudes
What are some of the negative behaviours ( risk factors/adverse circumstances) that contribute to long term negative outcomes in relation to family harm?
Family violence
Child abuse and neglect
Sexual violence
Alcohol and illicit drug use
What are the long term negative outcomes from family harm? (Vulnerabilities, negative behaviours, and compounding factors)
Adverse social/ economic outcomes
Dysfunctional families
Criminality
Adverse health outcomes
Mental health issues
Adverse educational outcomes
What 5 things to remember when attending family harm incidents where firearms may be present?
1Always consider firearms or other weapons are involved, and that the suspect has access. Info found on ‘On Duty’ ap.
2 If PSO or protection order is in place - ‘on duty’ will show. If PSO their firearms licence will be suspended for the duration of the order. Protection order will mean licence is revoked. Firearms need to be surrendered. Check licence endorsements and if any in secure storage.
3 consider if PSO appropriate, arrest and or making application for protection order. If any of those are actioned then suspect must surrender all firearms explosives or seized pursuant to section 18 of s&s act.
4 if you exercise the power to seize the above must report to commissioner within 3 days
5 following surrender or seizure make enquires as to whethe this person is fit and proper . If appropriate take revocation action
What kind of things can corroborate a victim if they become reluctant?
Medical examination and doctors reports
Photos of injuries
Scene examination - photos and diagram
Clothing
Witness statements
111 call
Old family violence reports
Emails text, messages, phone records, browsing history, bank records
Admissions or other corroborating or damaging statements by suspect
How much time do you have to make a video recorded statement after the alleged family violence episode?
Two weeks
Who should you consult if considering alternatives to arrest in relation to family harm offending?
Consult your supervisor
And the family violence coordinator/ family harm specialist
When there is insufficient evidence to arrest what should you do and what should you not do?
Should consider a PSO and should not warn.
What do you need to remember when considering charges in family harm events?
- Do not minimise
- Ensure charges reflect the essential nature of their offending
- Ensure there is evidence that can be adduced that is sufficient to provide a reasonable likelihood of conviction.
- consider the continuing risk the offender poses to the victim
When breaches of protection orders occur and there is sufficient evidence what must you do?
Charge them
Not release them on bail for 24 hours unless there is an earlier court hearing. (Not bailable as of right).
When considering bail in family harm events what is the primary consideration?
The need to protect the victim, their family and all protected persons
What other primary considerations should you make when considering whether to grant bail in family harm incidents ( over and above the victims safety )?
Linking victim into appropriate support and services
Possible need for cooling off period for suspect to ensure victims safety
Any condition may be imposed on bail that is considered necessary to protect victim and their family
What position level must you get authority from to release a family harm suspect on bail?
Sergeant or above
When can a suspect be bailed to victims address in family harm circumstances?
Only in exceptional circumstances.
What happens when a person is on ‘‘em bail and they are served a PSO?
They are unable to comply with the conditions of their EM bail and police must follow the procedures of ‘EM bailed served with PSO’ in the ‘em bail chapter.
How long can a PSO be issued for ?
Up to 10 days
What does aPSO provide fo?
enables staff to take immediate action to protect persons at risk when there is insufficient to arrest.
Provides time for person to seek support and assistance including applying for protection orders.
Time for bound person to cool down and also seek support and assistance.
WHat are the four categories of relationship that family harm relate to?
Intimate partner relationship
Family members
Flat mates
Close personal relationships
(Any family relationship )
Can an acting sergeant authorise a PSO?
Must be a substantive sergeant or formally appointed or authorised under s63 policing Act 2008.
What are the immediate effects of a PSO ?
Surrender any weapon in their possession or control and any firearms licence - to constable
Vacate land or building even if has a legal interest in it
Provide a cooling off period where person at risk has chance to seek support and assistance including a temp protection order and for bound person to get assistance and support
What are the longer term effects/restrictionsof a PSO?
In addition to the immediate effects the bound person must not:
- engage in behaviour that amounts to family violence against person at risk
- make any unauthorised contact with person at risk
- encourage another person to do the above
When can contact be made by the bound person in relation to PSO’s and family harm?
reasonably necessary in emergency
Permitted under special condition of any relevant protection order
Necessary to attend family group conference
Attend proceeding at court
Does not include parenting orders - these are suspended
When can a police safety order be issued?
When qualified constable believes on reasonable grounds that a person in family relationship, having regard to specified matters, the issue of an order is necessary to make person safe from family violence.
When can a PSO not be issued ?
When person is arrested for family violence (bail conditions set)
If person is a child - unless 16 years or older and is justified in special circumstances.
What can police do if a protection order is in place and there is not sufficient to arrest for an offence or breach of protection order?
Should issue a PSO as it takes pressure off person at risk as they cannot consent to bound person living there with them. Allows parenting orders to be suspended. Also aligns with victim graduated response model. Seek advice from family violence coordinator.
Initially what factors should be considered when deciding whether to issue a PSO?
- Likely that person has inflicted or is inflicting family violence
- will inflict family violence again
- the welfare of any children residing with person to be bound
- any hardship that could be caused
- any other matter considered relevant
What further factors should be considered when deciding whether to issue a PSO?
Previous interactions with police
Mental health history
Abuse of alcohol or drugs
Propensity for violence
Family harm history
Parenting orders, protection orders and previous PSO’s
Multi agency plans from previous farming harm
Whether person posing risk is currently involved with perpetrator support services
When deciding whether hardship will be caused what should you consider when deciding on the issuing of a PSO?
- who will have the family car
- who is in charge of finances - hold eftpos card/money
- financial ability for bound person to find accomodation/ transport
- whether any child has disability or illness requiring more intensive support.
In what circumstances are PSO ‘s usually issued for 5 days or more?
When there is likelihood of serious harm occurring,
protection or property order os being sought or
victim relocation is being sought.
What are the 3 steps to have authorised or obtain a Police safety Order?
1 complete all enquiries to identify possible offences - if none identified consider if PSO necessary using ‘factors to consider’.
2 f you consider a PSO should be issued and are not qualified to issue a PSO - seek authority from sergeant. If not qualified seek approval from DCC or COMMs .
- Document discussion about authorisation to issue at time it was given. Authorising constable should document this in on duty.
What are your powers pending authorisation of PSO?
Detain person for two hours in order to obtain authority and issue and serve on that person
Two hours starts when constable decides that PSO is necessary.
Remove person from premises to police station or patrol vehicle or detain in house for short periods.
What are the potential consequences for a person who fails to remain at the place they are detained when awaiting issuing of PSO.
May be arrested without warrant
Summary conviction of $500
What should the officer issuing the PSO do while still at the scene once the PSO is served?
Ensure relevant and specialist support is contacted for the person at risk. (preferably while you are still at scene)
If required advocacy for person at risk is arranged ie interpreter , sign language expert.
Support and temporary place to reside is available to bound person.
What are the 8 steps regarding procedures when serving a PSO and afterwards ?
1- fully explain to the person at risk and bound person the nature duration and effect (conditions) of the order. (Can be done prior to, during serving, or in the ‘at risk persons’ case just after the order is served)
2- section 42 risk and needs assessment - not yet available
3- capture and issue PSO in ‘on duty’ ap ( if not available call CRL to enter)
4 after serving and explaining PSO must ensure bound person surrenders all firearms, or weapons and firearms licence immediately. Vacates land or building occupied by person at risk and obtain details so that police can contact them to discuss prevention options.
5- at time of service must demand surrender of all firearms and their licence and consider revoking licence.
- Police must provide suitable storage for all weapons for time the licence is suspended/PSO is in force
- If have not done already contact appropriate support agency for for person at risk according to the frontline safety plan.
8- before end of shift complete the family harm investigation in ‘ on duty’.
When is the preferred time police should contact the person at risk while the PSO is in place?
Within 24-48 hours of the order being served.
Why should police contact the person at risk while the PSO is in place?
Check for breaches
Sure person at risk understands what constitutes a breach
If the bound person is high risk what should police do while the PSO is in place if practical?
Visit the bound person
Why should police visit the bound person while the PSO is in place if practical?
Provides time to engage with them and offer support services
To Ensures the bound person understands the PSO, what constitutes a breach particularly if bound person was intoxicated at the time the PSO was served.
What must you do if a bound person breaches a PSO?
Bring to court within 24 hours
Make a complaint to the court requesting that it makes an order under section 45
What must you do if a bound person (PSO) who has been detained by police due to a breach cannot be bought before the court within 24 hours at or before the expiry of the PSO period?
You must release the person and summons them to appear
The person can be arrested and bought before the court if they fail to appear as summonsed