A dedicated team targeting domestic and family violence offenders is set to be established in southern NSW, and is set to benefit rural and regional communities like those in the Murrumbidgee.
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The domestic violence high risk offender teams, established by Commissioner Mick Fuller, are part of a strategy to target recidivist offenders and reduce the rate of re-offending.
Murrumbidgee Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Tim Attwood says the teams will assist in the many initiatives police are already conducing within the district’s communities like Griffith, Leeton and Coleambally.
“This team will be able to assist districts in the southern region, and is taking a proactive approach targeting high risk, violent offenders,” Inspector Attwood said.
“Over and above what we are doing here, we can call them in as a specialised unit to help a family with real problems. We’ll put some things in place but can call for further assistance to proactively target and help them.”
He said police are “acutely aware” how domestic violence impacts victims and the community, and having another tool in the belt will be added to those already in use in the Murrumbidgee District.
“I would suggest there is definitely a need for this team in the southern region.”
Deputy Commissioner regional field operations Gary Worboys and police minister Troy Grant were joined by local police officers to announce the initiative in Wagga Wagga on Monday, August 20.
“A crime is a crime and domestic violence is one of the oldest and most insidious crimes in our society,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys says.
“Perpetrators of domestic violence need to be held to account for their actions and the introduction of specialist police ensures offenders are pro-actively targeted and vulnerable victims are supported.
“There has always been a focus on victims of domestic violence, which is entirely appropriate, but we can now shift focus to offenders and re-offenders.
The domestic violence high risk offender team will target serious, high-risk and recidivist offenders across southern NSW taking in communities from Eden to Durras, and west to Bombala, Jindabyne, Adelong and Coleambally.
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“We have already seen the positive impacts of DV high risk offender teams in the initial roll-out locations, and this signals a real boost for community safety in towns right across the state’s south,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys says.
NSW Police say they will continue to work closely with other government and non-government agencies to reduce domestic and family violence as a whole.
To report domestic and family violence or seek counseling, call 1800 RESPECT.
