Logan police have entered a partnership with the Centre for Women & Co as part of a new model to provide support to people seeking safety from violent and controlling relationships in their area.
The new Domestic Violence Engagement Team (DVET), made up of six general duties police and a Centre for Women & Co support worker, is now operating five days a week servicing the Logan Central and Crestmead police divisions.
Chief Superintendent with the police, Mel Adams said the partnership would allow police to support those in the community better who were most at-risk, removing barriers to help them access support.
“This partnership brings support services to the doors of those who have been subjected to violence or control from their partners,” Chief Superintendent Adams said.
“Support workers and police visits and actively engage with victim-survivors on safety planning to ensure they have a strong network around them, including with their neighbours, family and friends,” she said.
“This allows us to provide prevention-focused support at the most appropriate time.”
She said police were most often called out to incidents at the point of crisis but the model that’s been adopted will provide an opportunity for education and support outside of it and aim to increase the safety for victims and prevent future escalations.
Senior Sergeant Brett Jackson said that with officers spending up to 40 per cent of their time responding to domestic and family violence in the community, his officers were committed to making a difference reducing calls for service and making home environments safer across the area.
“These six officers are passionate about understanding relationships and identifying ways to support victims and perpetrators through these challenging times in their lives,” Senior Sergeant Jackson said.
“Their job each day is to connect with these people and provide this much needed support. We are starting to see positive results with ongoing engagement with victim-survivors across Logan and Crestmead.”
Chief Superintendent Adams said the partnership was funded by ‘Small Steps 4 Hannah’ and demonstrates the commitment from non-Government agencies and police to work together to create safer relationships in our communities.
More information about the project can be accessed at the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal at this PS News link.
