This is the first of seven topic-based reports, as outlined in the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor's plan for 2021–2022.
This report examines the progress that has been made to support key workforces – including police, Child Protection practitioners, specialist family violence practitioners and magistrates - to accurately identify the predominant aggressor in family violence situations. It explores the reasons for victim survivors being misidentified as perpetrators and assesses how well the system responds to this misidentification.
Importantly, the report provides a suite of proposed actions for government to address the issues identified.
Monitoring Victoria's Family Violence Reforms: Accurate Identification of the Predominant Aggressor
Foreword
The Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor, Jan Shuard PSM, introduces the topic
Monitoring Context
The role of the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor, our monitoring approach for 2021–2022, and stakeholders consulted for this topic
Introduction
This report reflects monitoring of the Victorian Government’s implementation of family violence reforms in relation to the accurate identification of the predominant aggressor
Key findings and proposed actions
Key findings and proposed actions to address systemic misidentification
What did the Royal Commission say and what has changed since?
Work undertaken since the Royal Commission recommended that more needed to be done to ensure predominant aggressors are accurately identified
Predominant aggressor identification is clearly described in government policies and resources
Guidance on identifying the predominant aggressor in key government policies and resources
Misidentification is a significant issue that has enormous consequences for the victim survivor
Estimated prevalence of misidentification and analysis of the factors leading to, and consequences of, misidentification
Acknowledging the complexity of the family violence incidents police attend, police practice and processes are contributing to misidentification
Examination of police practice and process issues resulting in misidentification
There is considerable variability in other parts of the service system picking up misidentification and alerting others
Examination of how well Child Protection, the legal and court system, and victim and perpetrators services are detecting and responding to misidentification
Rectification processes are insufficient in reversing the damage done to victim survivors
The options available to rectify misidentification once it has been detected
There is no ability to systematically understand and monitor issues within the system
Availability of data relating to misidentification and the level of system monitoring of the issue
Other issues
A brief description of other issues relevant to the topic
Glossary of relevant terms and abbreviations
A glossary of relevant terms and abbreviations used in the report
Family violence services and support
Support if you have experienced violence or sexual assault and require immediate or ongoing assistance
Victim survivor acknowledgement
We acknowledge the impact of family violence on individuals, families and communities, and the strength and resilience of the children and adults who have, and are still, experiencing family violence
Updated