NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward today announced a $60 million package to target perpetrators and support women, men and children who have experienced domestic and family violence (DFV).
The package includes new Police Domestic Violence High-Risk Offender Teams to target perpetrators and reduce the rate of reoffending, as well as DFV Suspect Target Management Plans that will put offenders on notice. The package also includes mandated behaviour change programs to make perpetrators address their behaviour.
In addition, the package will increase crisis accommodation support as well as introduce Australia’s first Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, which discloses information about a perpetrator’s violent history and provide a stronger response to sexual assault.
“Domestic violence is a plague that needs to be eradicated across this state and country. No one should have to live in fear in their own home,” Mr Baird said.
“We need to target these offenders to change their attitudes and behaviours to make a lasting change.
“One of my priorities is to reduce the rate of domestic and family violence reoffending within 12 months by five per cent by 2019.”
Ms Goward said for decades effective action has been focused on supporting DFV victims and this new domestic violence package builds on that further by targeting perpetrators.
“More than one in five domestic violence offenders will end up in court convicted of another domestic violence offence within two years. This must change,” Ms Goward said.
This is the first stage of the NSW Government’s increased investment into DFV. The Government is currently working with the non-government sector to analyse service gaps through a DFV Blueprint. This work will be completed in 2016.