The NSW Police Force has launched a proactive operation throughout the Western Region to target high-risk perpetrators of domestic and family violence, coinciding with day one of the '16 Days of Activism' campaign.
Due to COVID-19, pared-back events have been organised across the state to mark '16 Days of Activism', with the NSW Police Force supporting the campaign through proactive policing, as well as attending events to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
From today (Thursday 25 November 2021), which is also World Human Rights Day, until the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (Friday 10 December 2021), officers across the seven Western Region police districts will be assisted by specialist police from the Western Region's Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team (DVHROT), Proactive Crime Team and Region Enforcement Squad (RES) to roll out the operation.
Western Region Operations Commander and Region Sponsor for Domestic Violence, Acting Inspector Ken Brisbane, said police are committed to disrupting and preventing recidivist offending and ensuring the safety of victims.
"There is no excuse for domestic and family violence and our proactive operation will continue to target high-risk domestic-violence offenders and ensure they are held accountable for their actions," said A/Insp Brisbane.
"Police remain committed to helping victims of domestic violence and will not hesitate in bringing offenders to justice."
During the state-wide operation, police will implement a number of proactive strategies including, Apprehended Domestic Violence Order compliance checks, proactive checks targeting known offenders and providing additional support to at-risk victims.
This year so far, more than 17,000 compliance checks have been conducted across Western Region, to ensure apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVO) are being complied with.
In addition to policing strategies, officers from the Western Region will be involved in community events being held across the local Police Districts, including:
Central West Police District
- Condobolin – 25 November 2021 - White Ribbon Day at the Renown Park – Cnr of McDonnell and Bathurst Street, Condobolin.
- Forbes – 25 November 2021 - hidden victims 200 cut outs placed along the main street – Templar/Rankin Streets, Forbes
- Lakes Cargelligo – 25 November 2021 - White Ribbon Information day – Lachlan Valley Way, Lake Cargelligo.
New England Police District
- Inverell – 25 November 2021 to 10 December 2021 – Paint the town purple to raise awareness around DV violence.
Orana Mid-Western Police District
- Coonamble – 25 November 2021 to 10 December 2021 - rock art competition
- Dubbo – 25 November 2021 to 10 December 2021 – CBD Business window displays of DV Awareness and support posters.
Oxley Police District
- Gunnedah – 25 November 2021 to December 2021 – paint your nails orange
- Gunnedah – handing out ribbons, bin sticker promotion
- Gunnedah – 1 December 2021 – event to open and promote Allawah Cottage Refuge for women and children - address
If you, or anyone you know has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence, contact your local police. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Support is available via the following helplines –
• 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) - a confidential information, counselling and support service;
• 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) - provide telephone counselling, information and referrals for men;
• Link2Home (1800 152 152) - can help refer women experiencing domestic violence to crisis accommodation; and
• Lifeline (13 11 14) - a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
• If you are in danger or in an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
For more information on the local events, or to organise an interview with Acting Inspector Ken Brisbane, please contact Western Region Media Officer – Rachel Hobden at [email protected].
