Beyond blue barriers: an assessment of the embedding of DFV support workers into police stations

The way law enforcement respond to domestic and family violence (DFV) plays an important role in the wellbeing and safety of female complainants. Research shows that inconsistent or negative responses from officers towards women reporting DFV can result in them opting out of future reporting. This is problematic given seeking police assistance has been connected to reductions in future violence. This presentation draws on the interview findings from a mixed-modal evaluation of the colocation of DFV support workers into 11 police stations across New South Wales; focusing on the experiences of 12 female complainants, 23 support workers and 29 officers. It asks whether embedding DFV support workers into police stations can change the female complainant-officer reporting experience. The presentation explores both perceptions of the embedding of support workers in police stations, and insights into attitudinal change amongst all three parties towards the complainant-police reporting process. It suggests colocation is predominantly held in high regard and that it has facilitated some attitudinal change, although this may be tempered by several factors. These factors include where support workers are situated with stations, the backing co-located workers get from domestic violence officers (DVOs) and police management, and the characteristics of the support worker themselves.