New program to combat domestic and family violence

In conjunction with Marrickville Legal Centre, inner-west Police Local Area Commands have launched a new project to provide support to victims of domestic and family violence at the earliest opportunity.

The Inner West Domestic Violence Pro-Active Support Pass Project (DVPASS) is designed to follow up police intervention at an incident. Victims of domestic violence, who grant permission to police, will have their details provided to the program’s specialist Support Worker, and will be contacted for immediate support and referral to appropriate services.

Police from the Leichhardt, Newtown and Marrickville areas are involved in the project.

Central Metropolitan Region Domestic Violence Sponsor, Superintendent Gavin Dengate, strongly endorsed the initiative. “Domestic violence is a serious crime that happens behind closed doors,” he said. “No one agency can address the full range of problems and effects created, and only through collaboration of Government and non-Government agencies can we tackle these issues. It’s hoped that through integrated partnership projects such as the Inner West DVPASS, police and agencies can work together to break the cycle of violence and help prevent domestic violence.”