Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (Sydney WDVCAS) is hosting the Local Coordination Point (LCP), a streamlined referral pathway for victims of domestic violence who have contact with NSW Police in the four Local Area Commands in the Waverley Court catchment area.
Under the Reforms, NSW Police complete the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT) with women who are victims of domestic violence. Victims are assessed as ‘at threat’ or ‘at serious threat’ and immediately referred to the LCP.
The LCP addresses the immediate safety needs of the victim and provides information, referrals and case coordination. Victims assessed as ‘at serious threat’ are referred to a Safety Action Meeting (SAM).
The aim of the SAM is to prevent or lessen the serious threat to a victim of domestic violence through targeted information sharing and actions. The SAM is chaired by a senior police officer and attended by key government and non-government agencies with decision-making power.
At the SAM, a Safety Action Plan is formulated for the victim, comprising of a series of actions each service provider can take to lessen the threat to the victim. In the period 22 September 2014 to 14 November 2014 the Waverley LCP received 351 referrals, with 63 of the victims assessed as being ‘at serious threat’ and placed on the SAM Agenda.
A de-identified case study illustrates the work being done at the Waverley Local Coordination Point:
‘Annie’ (not her real name) was assessed as being ‘at serious threat’ through police use of the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool that indicated the following:
- Annie was afraid of the defendant;
- there had been an increase in controlling and violent behaviour towards Annie;
- there had been previous harm or threats to harm the family pet;
- there had been assaults or threats to assault Annie with weapons;
- Annie had been choked or strangled; and
- the defendant had made threats to kill Annie.
Sydney WDVCAS has provided a chronology of Annie’s contact with the service to illustrate the working processes of the LCP and SAMs:
Day 1
- The LCP received the referral for Annie and contacted her.
- A referral was made to the Sydney WDVCAS for support throughout the court process for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) against the defendant.
- A referral was made to Housing NSW for a housing transfer.
- A referral was made to Victims Services for moving and other costs.
Day 2
- Annie attended an interview with Housing NSW and was approved for transfer.
- A referral was made to Staying Home Leaving Violence and Annie’s locks were changed within four hours of referral.
Day 3 – Court date
- Annie was supported at court by Sydney WDVCAS and a final ADVO in suitable terms was made for her protection.
- Annie was placed on the Agenda for the next SAM.
Day 8
- Annie was offered a Housing NSW property in her desired location.
- Annie accepted the offer from Housing NSW and signed the lease.
Day 9
- Annie moved in to her new property at a location some distance from where the defendant resides.
Day 12
- With Annie’s permission, her case was discussed at the SAM. It was agreed that, as there was already an ADVO in place, Annie had been safely re-located and housed, and had been connected to appropriate services, the serious threat to her had been reduced and her case was removed from the Agenda.
- Annie provided extremely positive feedback regarding the assistance she had received.
