Information sharing can assist agencies in removing barriers to help domestic and family violence (DFV) victims in high risk situations.
Nicole Morgan is the Queensland Police Service's (QPS) representative on the Logan High Risk Team, a multi-agency team whose nine core members work together to respond to the most serious of DFV cases.
High Risk Teams were established after the Not Now, Not Ever report in 2015 recommended an integrated, multi-agency approach. Starting in 2017, the three original pilot sites have now expanded to eight locations across Queensland, including remote and rural locations.
Team members include representatives from QPS; the Queensland Government's departments of Health, Child Safety, Corrective Services, Justice and Attorney General, Youth Justice, and Housing and Public Works; Victims Assist Qld; and a non-government agency, which, for Logan, is the Centre for Women and Co.
Associate agencies may also be brought in for specific cases, for example, the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, to ensure a culturally safe response is provided.
Mrs Morgan said team members worked together every day, but also met in person twice a week to discuss cases.
"The High Risk Team is designed to respond to cases where there is risk of lethality or serious harm," Mrs Morgan said.
"Having us all together in the one space allows us to discuss the complexities unique to each case, brainstorm ideas, respectfully challenge each other and consider all options so we can act quickly to ensure a safe and effective outcome is achieved for victims and their families."
She said the sharing of information between agencies was a major step forward in providing effective responses.
"Victims of DFV may not feel comfortable approaching police but may disclose information to one of the other core agencies. Without sharing information, there could be serious situations of DFV happening that police have no knowledge of and are therefore unable to provide protection," Mrs Morgan said.
Any of the core and associate members can refer a case to the High Risk Team, and each agency has a specialist set of services and skills to bring to the table.
Mrs Morgan said police contributed to the response by investigating offences and holding perpetrators to account for their behaviour and actions.
"This could include issuing a Police Protection Notice (PPN), applying for a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) on behalf of the victim, investigating criminal offences such as breaches of the DVO, arresting perpetrators, and offering appropriate referrals so victims and perpetrators have access to ongoing support after they have engaged with police.
"We also work hand-in-hand with the Logan Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit (DFV&VPU), which I'm embedded in. The High Risk Team will refer cases to the DFV&VPU, whose specialist officers will engage with victims, offer support referrals, investigate criminal offences and work to ensure they feel supported and safe.
"Referrals flow the other way as well. If the DFV&VPU members identify a high risk situation through reviewing police reports of DFV incidents, they can refer it to the High Risk Team for an integrated service response."
The Logan High Risk Team has a relatively high workload, responding to an average of 50-60 open cases. Mrs Morgan said the multi-disciplinary approach had enabled a level of response not previously achievable by any single agency.
"We have strong relationships with the other agencies, and I see this work to great effect every day," she said.
"In one recent case, a woman walked into a police station to report DFV in the morning. There were high risk elements identified and it was referred to the DFV&VPU, who then referred it to the High Risk Team.
"By that afternoon, the victim had been placed into safe accommodation and the perpetrator was arrested and charged. Within days there was an ongoing safety plan in place, her locks had been changed and CCTV cameras had been installed.
"We were able to provide a collaborative wrap around response," she said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
- DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
- DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.
