The tool police use to make risk assessments of intimate partner violence has flaws, according to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistic and Research (BOSCAR).

It is an important finding as NSW Police attempt to manage increasingly scarce resources in responding to incidents of domestic and family violence.

If the risk assessment tool used by police, the Domestic Vilence Safety Assessment Tool,  is not optimal, it means high risk victims may not be identified, and low risk incidents may lead to arrest and charging.

BOSCAR said the study, Improving police risk assessment of intimate partner violence, indicated that responses to just five questions would rapidly increase identification of repeat assaults on intimate partners in domestic violence settings.

Police currently use a 30-questions domestic violence safety tool to come up with categories of “at threat” or “at serious threat”.

“We welcome the BOSCAR findings not only for the opportunity to better support victims of domestic violence but for the opportunity to prevent innocent parties continuing to come before the Courts,” criminal lawyer, Mr Mathew Nott, said.

“More accurate risk assessment tools will help potential victims to be protected and supported and  perhaps prevent a potential perpetrator from re-offending.

“If police are called to a domestic violence incident, how people behave has been found to increase the likelihood of an arrest being made.”[1]

“Arresting a suspected perpetrator can reduce repeat domestic violence, so that option is often taken, however, it is far better for all concerned to focus on prevention.”

  • the victim’s history of domestic violence reports
  • the perpetrator’s history of domestic violence convictions
  • pregnancy and new birth
  • victim’s self-perception of risk
  • the perpetrator’s misuse of alcohol or drugs.

If you have been charged with a domestic violence offence, you can contact Nott and Co Lawyers for a free initial consultation.

[1] Australian Institute of Criminology: https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2018-11/apo-nid204986.pdf