Thursday 2 April 2020
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT FOR THE ALBURY ELECTORATE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
Member for Albury Justin Clancy has welcomed the news that people experiencing domestic violence can be assured police and frontline services are ready to support them and their families as NSW continues to respond to the coronavirus threat.
Mr. Clancy said the community should not hesitate to seek help and support at this time.
“If you are in danger or in an emergency call Triple Zero (000),” said Mr. Clancy.
“If you are in need of support services, such as housing or counseling, hard working frontline services are also available to help those suffering domestic violence.”
Mr. Clancy said there is an associated risk domestic and family violence will increase as the community is asked to comply with social distancing directions and self-isolation.
“No person should in live in fear of violence and I urge people to seek the help they need when it is safe to do so,” Mr. Clancy said.
Mr. Clancy added that perpetrators are on notice and that police have increased efforts to combat violence in the home including more proactive operations to enforce protection orders.
“Police will continue to conduct thousands of Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) compliance checks to keep victims safe,” Mr. Clancy said.
NSW Police Force Domestic Violence Corporate Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones, said police are monitoring rates of domestic violence.
“High-risk and repeat offenders are being targeted by specially trained police to ensure that all orders are strictly followed and complied with and offenders are arrested if violence is detected,” Assistant Commissioner Jones said.
“Police are also able to vary existing interim or final ADVOs if we know that violence is escalating, without needing to first go to court, so victims are immediately protected.
“NSW Police are working together with government agencies, including NSW Health, to ensure there is no increased health risk to the community in the current environment.”
The NSW Government is constantly adapting as the COVID-19 emergency evolves, which includes various justice, housing and policing responses to combat domestic violence.
In the Local Court, the Chief Magistrate has made the following changes:
Last week the Government also passed amendments in Parliament to enable Provisional ADVOs to remain in place for up to six months, if the court cannot consider them earlier. This coincides with reforms that extend the default duration of ADVOs made by a court from one year to two years.
Domestic violence survivors and their families are often at risk of homelessness. The State’s housing response includes the following additional government support:
“Further changes may be necessary as the COVID-19 crisis continues, but in the meantime, victims of domestic violence should seek out the services available, when it’s safe to do so,” Mr. Clancy said.
These include: