The NSW Police Force Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT) was been rolled out state-wide as part of a whole-of government campaign to combat domestic and family violence.

The rollout comes as an Essential Research poll of 1000 people across the nation, conducted for gender equality organisation Fair Agenda, found 74 per cent of Australians believe domestic violence is as much or more of a threat than terrorism.

NSW Police corporate sponsor for domestic and family violence, Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller, said the DVSAT improves existing risk-assessment procedures for police.

“Police spend more time dealing with domestic violence-related incidents than any other crime type and this tool allows for automatic referrals to support agencies to help keep victims safe,” Assistant Commissioner Fuller said.

“The DVSAT is made up of two parts; part A consists of 25 risk identification questions and part B looks at previous police involvement as well as relying on the officer’s professional judgement, from which police are able to better understand the associated risk level and specific needs of a victim.

“Importantly, it’s intended to help victims of domestic or family violence, whether male or female, and part of either an intimate or non-intimate relationship. It ensures a consistent police response across the state, so victims of domestic violence can all be assisted based on their specific needs.

“General duties police and our Domestic Violence Liaison Officers (DVLOs) will continue to conduct thorough investigations, follow up with victims and apply for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs), where necessary.”

Griffith DVLO Constable Jasmine Hussain said physical violence was only one of the domestic violence issues they dealt with.

“We deal with emotional, financial and mental abuse as well. They (the perpetrator) mould the victim into the person that they want them to be and once you’ve moulded them its so easy for the offender to control them,” Constable Hussain said.

It was hard for police to see victims abused over and over, and Constable Hussain said it was important for anyone in a violent situation to simply put their hand up and ask for help.

“It is okay for people to come to police, we have officers who are all trained in domestic violence, but the hardest part is just asking for help,” Constable Hussain said.

“It’s not okay to go through that, it’s not okay to be a victim of violence. just step out. It’s hard to do that the first time, but we are trained to help.”

All victim referrals will be electronically managed and monitored at a central referral point with Victim Services, Department of Attorney General and Justice, who will ensure victims are referred to local coordination points, who in turn will offer victims appropriate support services.