A new streamlined support service for domestic violence victims has been announced for the Richmond Local Area Command, but it won’t launch until next year.
Lismore MP Thomas George was joined by the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward at the Lismore police station to announce the Safer Pathways service.
The program aims to ensure every domestic violence victim across NSW receives a consistent and effective response regardless of where they live.
‘Following the success of Safer Pathway’s first six sites, the NSW Government has committed $53 million over four years to expand Safer Pathway statewide, with 21 new locations rolling out in 2016-17,’ Ms Goward said.
The Richmond Local Area Command will be one of the first areas to roll out the service.
Safer Pathway brings together local representatives including police, health, corrections, family and community services and education along with local specialist non-government domestic and family violence services, creating a streamlined, integrated referral pathway for victims who are ‘at threat’ or ‘at serious threat’ to their life, health or safety.
‘Courageous victims who have been left traumatised and terrified will no longer have to shop around to get the services they need nor will they have to re-tell their story to a multitude of government agencies,’ Ms Goward said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Justice Troy Grant said the NSW Liberals and Nationals government was committed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence in NSW.
‘This roll out means even more victims across NSW will now receive coordinated help and support to live their lives free from violence,’ Mr Grant said.
Lismore MP Thomas George welcomed the announcement that the Richmond Police LAC would be one of the first LACs for the Safer Pathway expansion.
‘We know that having the right support in place is vital. That is why I am so pleased that victims needing help will have the tailored support through Safer Pathway to ensure their safety and recovery from abusive relationships,’ Mr George said.
The Safer Pathways program is expected to be in place by March next year.
In no way am I trying to remove the blame from men (or women) who commit domestic violence, but I highly recommend that people look at the second of the SBS TV series – ‘Predict my Future – The Science of Us’ on last Monday night, which explores the outcomes of a major social exploration project of the lives of 1000 people from birth to 40 years of age in Dunedin, NZ.
The data on domestic violence clearly shows that women have instigated violence against their partners in numbers almost equal to male instigated domestic violence. They acknowledge that male violence is likely to cause more damage or injury, but the cause of the violence may often start with the female.
This shocking information has since been replicated in other studies from around the world, but still, the conventional view is that domestic violence is a male issue. Police, for example, often just assume that the victim is the woman, but this may not always be the case.
The study also clearly shows that in general people select partners who have similar attitudes and personality issues, which only exacerbates the problems of lack of self control and inappropriate behaviour socially within and outside the relationship.
So my request is that we open our minds to a wider view of the victim in domestic violence. It could easily be that the female ‘victim’ may need just as much help to change their behaviour patterns in the relationship.