Sergeant Nathan Green leads the eight-person domestic violence team at the Auburn Police Area Command (PAC) and admits while it’s not always easy, it is a vital role that requires patience, understanding and “some life experience”.
He says his team includes domestic violence operatives who focus on putting offenders before the courts, as well as monitoring their compliance with court orders and apprehended violence orders.
They also have three domestic violence officers to help support victims and “hold their hand” if their abuser is charged and goes to court.
“They are the officers who will be at court with the victims, explaining the process,” Sgt Green said.
“They put victims in touch with the relevant agencies, with the women’s domestic violence services to arrange alternative housing if needed. They have a vast array of contacts to assist victims.”
He said whoever contacts them, they investigate every report, no matter how trivial it may seem because it can be the one thread that uncovers serious domestic violence that has gone previously unreported.
“Often it’s the people that know the victim best who sense that something’s not quite right. You can always call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 anonymously and we will act on that report,” he said.
“We are here to help. And it’s a cycle that needs to be broken.
“In the vast majority of cases, the victims of domestic violence don’t want to end the relationship, they just want the violence to stop. And one way of getting that to happen is through police intervention.”
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic or family violence: – Call 000 in a life threatening emergency; – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) for confidential information, counselling and support; – NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63), a state-wide telephone crisis counselling and referral service for women; – Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491), for telephone counselling, information and referrals for men; or – Lifeline (13 11 14).
