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Winter 2004

Domestic Violence Crisis Service is to be Revamped

In line with initiatives that are part of the Safe at Home Policy implemented by the State Government, the Departments of Justice and Police and Emergency Services are to have greater interventional powers in addressing crimes of domestic violence.

While DVCS counsellors applaud the Government's initiative to increase police powers, they are concerned about a number of issues, in particular, the widely published 1800 number that victims have access to.

It is proposed the current free call 1800 number, which has been in operation for almost 15 years, be handed over to the police.

Counsellors fear this will drive domestic violence further into the background, as victims begin to realise the familiar free call number is no longer answered by an experienced counsellor but the police.

Many victims feel genuine fear, that if they report violence to the police it will exacerbate the situation with the perpetrator.

Police play a vital role in dealing with urgent incidents involving imminent or actual threats to persons or property. However, Counsellors provide a crisis service, which, in many cases, can be a repeat service.

DVCS Counsellors provide an invaluable service to the victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence incidents are not only about physical violence but implied harm, bullying and intimidation. These are situations in which the police may be powerless.

Reports suggest that women need pathways to enable them to leave violent relationships and establish new lives. Participants in a report "Pathways: How women leave violent men" specifically identified the Domestic Violence Crisis Service as a key pathway.

While a new crisis line number will be established, members are concerned this pathway may be ruined by handing the number to the police.

Repeat and new victims of domestic violence may be reluctant to use this number as they simply want to escape the situation and not inflame an already volatile situation.

While the transfer of the 1800 number is a major concern to members, there remain many other issues to be dealt with prior to the implementation of the new service by March 2005.

HACSU will be meeting with management shortly to continue a series of discussions regarding the future of the service and the continued employment of the counsellors.