The NSW Police Force are leading the national conversation on policing domestic-violence related incidents with the launch of the inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum, NSW Police say.
On Tuesday (13 November 2018), representatives from the NSW Police Force will be joined by international guests from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, to continue the conversation around domestic and family violence.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM, will open the three-day forum and says the initiative is designed to address the changing landscape of policing incidents of domestic and family violence.
"The aim of the forum is to provide an opportunity for police across Australia, New Zealand and abroad, to have a frank and open conversation about the challenges officers face when they respond to a domestic-related incident," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Domestic and family violence is a crime that does not discriminate, and with the assistance of local and international partners, we are continuing to improve policing to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice."
NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Domestic and Family Violence, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones APM, said officers see first hand the effect domestic violence incidents have on families every day.
"Unfortunately, it is a crime that continues to dominate police time, with officers responding to more than 126,000 domestic-related incidents over the last 12 months," said Assistant Commissioner Jones.
"The inaugural Australasian Police Domestic Violence Forum will allow us to continue the conversation into the most effective way of policing such crimes.
"With White Ribbon Day around the corner it is a timely reminder for everyone to never underestimate the significant role you can play in addressing domestic and family violence; what you know could save someone’s life," said Assistant Commissioner Jones.
The forum will run from Tuesday (13 November 2018) until Thursday (15 November 2018), in the lead up to the annual White Ribbon campaign.
White Ribbon Day (Friday 23 November 2018), also makes the start of 16 Days of Activism – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding with International Human Rights Day on Monday 10 December 2018.
