Following the release of the NSW Auditor-General’s Report ‘Police responses to domestic and family violence’, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb initiated the DFV to change the way police respond to and prevent domestic violence.
“Domestic and family violence is one of today’s most challenging and complex community issues; it feels like an epidemic. It is time for that to change,” the Commissioner said.
“I see the Domestic and Family Violence Registry as being central to that change, not just within our organisation, but also through improved collaboration with service providers, advocates, and other key stakeholders.
“The Registry is staffed by officers with expertise in domestic and family violence issues, including investigations and victim support, as well as legal and intelligence specialists and a consultant psychologist.”
DFV Registry Commander, Superintendent Danielle Emerton, said the team’s functions would be similar to that of the Child Protection and Missing Persons Registries.
“All organisational information and intelligence relating to domestic and family violence will be fed into and reviewed by DFV Registry to develop strategies to reduce the incidences and threats of violence,” Supt Emerton said.
“We have a predictive model to analyse the likelihood that an offender will cause serious harm, which allows us to put strategies in place to neutralise the threat.
“An important part of managing this process is understanding the difference between repeat offenders and dangerous offenders – those whose intent, capability and access to their victim is escalated.
“Importantly, the systems we have in place help us to identify repeat victims quickly, so we can put them in contact with support services and guide them through the legal processes.”
