Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) specialist practitioners have been embedded into police stations on the Sunshine Coast to enhance policing of DFV and support of victim-survivors.
In stage three of the program, four specialist DFV practitioners from Centacare have been embedded at police stations in Caloundra, Maroochydore, Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
In partnership with Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety and Centacare, the program aims to provide information, advocacy, safety plans and other practical and psychosocial supports to victim-survivors.
Practitioners will also help police gather evidence and ensure correct identification of people in need of protection.
North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Glenn Morris said the practitioners began work in March and have already been invaluable in assisting the response to DFV situations.
“We’ve seen great success and benefit in having specialists embedded into our stations, just like the existing Youth Co-Responder Teams, and we expect this to be the case with the Embedded DFV Specialist Practitioners,” Assistant Commissioner Morris said.
“The Embedded DFV Specialist Practitioners will be based at police stations and provide specialist support to victims and assistance to police during investigations into DFV related incidents.
“Victim-survivors will be offered access to the specialist support services, helping to ensure a comprehensive and trauma-informed approach to their cases.
“We’re continually looking for ways to improve our response to DFV situations and support of those impacted, both proactively and reactively, and this program places the needs of victim-survivors at the centre of our collaborative response.”
Centacare General Manager Teena Ingram said Centacare provided DFV support to more than 7,000 women in 2024 and welcomed the opportunity to work collaboratively with police and bolster the critical service they already provide.
“By integrating elements of social work practice into local stations, we are seeing a more comprehensive and nuanced response to victim survivors,” Ms Ingram said.
Centacare Sunshine Coast Area Manager Adam Beck said that despite the embedded worker model only being in operation in the North Coast Region since March, they are already receiving positive feedback from women who have reported DFV incidents at the involved police stations.
“Embedding additional DFV expertise in police stations has shown to enhance information sharing and understanding of the clients’ needs,” Mr Beck said.
“The Specialist Practitioners are highly trained and will deeply listen and identify the nuance of each client’s individual situation.
“Several victim survivors have reported an increased sense of safety from their engagement with the embedded practitioners.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
13YARN: 13 92 76
