Slide 1 Victim-centric Policing Providing an effective and responsive service to individuals and communities impacted by crime and victimisation (Introduce content)
Slide 2 Overview Today’s presentation will cover - • Role of the Victims Advisory Unit (VAU) • Evolution of ‘the victim’ • Victim-centric policing practice • Victoria Police Victim-centric Service Delivery Strategy (VCSDS) • Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) System • Co-located Victim Assistance Program • Victim-centric Portfolio Holders (VCPH) • Future directions (Overview)
Slide 3 Victoria Police – Victims Advisory Unit The Victims Advisory Unit (VAU) is a multidisciplinary team that provides a consistent and coordinated response to issues related to victims of crime and those in need of assistance. Victim-centric Victoria Police Service Delivery eReferral (VPeR) Strategy System Co-located Victim Victim-centric Assistance Portfolio Holders Program (VAP) (Victims Advisory Unit) The Victims Advisory Unit (VAU) represents a specialised unit within a police organisation that provides a consistent and coordinated response to issues related to victims of crime and those in need of assistance. Key functions of the unit include – • Implementation of the Victoria Police Victim - centric Service Delivery Strategy • Management of the Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) system • Coordination of the Co - located Victim Assistance Program (VAP) at Police Stations • Introduction of Victim - Centric Portfolio Holders throughout the state The VAU performs an important role in – • supporting frontline police, • working strategically to address issues affecting operational practice, and • enhancing service delivery to the community.
Slide 4 The evolution of ‘the victim’ (The evolution of ‘the victim’) Police are increasingly being called upon to assist individuals and communities in matters that are not necessarily criminal in nature. As such, traditional definitions of ‘victim’ may now be considered too narrow for policing activities. Given the breadth of policing responsibilities it would not be unreasonable to expect that police may be required to support victims of natural disasters or accidents, whereby their policing powers are used as a means to contain, protect and support. Further there is a community expectation that police would (and do) assist in a situation where an individual is threatening self - harm. The act would not fall into the category of a criminal act, but it is reasonable to expect that police would respond and act in order to protect life. In response, to this Victoria Police has adopted a victim - centric approach to its policing activities.
Slide 5 Victim-centric Policing Practice Victim-centric policing recognises that victims and those in need of assistance are central to policing practice. Provide support in Uphold and Deliver services in a responsive and reinforce human a respectful and client focused rights courteous manner manner Minimise Provide timely secondary information victimisation (Victim - centric Policing Practice) Victoria Police strives to deliver service excellence and is committed to - • reducing victimisation • enhancing services for those in need of assistance and; • building community confidence and trust. This is achieved by adopting a victim - centric approach to policing. Victim centric policing recognises that victims and those in need of assistance are central to policing practice. It seeks to – • Uphold and reinforce human rights • Effectively deliver services in a respectful and courteous manner • Provide support in a responsive and client focused manner • Provide timely information of the investigation and prosecution processes • Minimise secondary victimisation. Frontline police members are in a unique position because they are usually the first point of contact for those impacted by crime. They provide a gateway to the criminal justice system and can potentially intervene early to prevent crime, and where crime does occurs, to minimise associated harm. Specifically for victims, police officers can provide appropriate information and support associated with the investigation and prosecution processes to minimise the risk of further trauma or secondary victimisation. Police can also refer victims and others in need of assistance to a relevant support service. This contributes to the goal of reducing victimisation in the first instance, while lessening the adverse effects of victimisation on the broader community.
The implementation of a victim - centric philosophy within policing requires a rethinking of police organisational structures and processes. The creation of new organisational symbolism in plans, documentation and actions is regarded as key to successful implementation. Executive leadership teams within policing organisations need to establish solid symbols of support for victims that leave frontline members in no doubt as to what is required. In recognition of this Victoria Police developed and implemented the Victim - centric Service Delivery Strategy . . .
Slide 6 Victoria Police Victim-centric Service Delivery Strategy (VCSDS) (Victim - Centric Service Delivery Strategy) . . . which was launched by the Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton in 2015. Highlighted as a key initiative in the Victorian Government’s Community Safety Statement 2017, the Strategy includes – • the development of victim - centric policing principles of practice and; • establishing referral pathways for victims and those in need of assistance into early intervention and support service streams The Strategy also involves embedding victim - centric practice into organisational planning, education and training programs. Continued monitoring and evaluation processes will ensure that this approach is being effectively implemented and new reporting mechanisms will strengthen accountability.
Slide 7 VCSDS - Priorities & Programs Increase • Victims Assistance Program (VAP) opportunities to co-located at Police Stations empower victims Raise the organisational focus • Victoria Police Victim-centric on victims and those Portfolio Holders (VCPH) in need of assistance Streamline the process for referring • Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) victims and those in System need of assistance (VCSDS – Priorities and Programs) Key priorities of the Strategy and associated programs include – • Increasing opportunities to empower victims – through the expansion of the Victim Assistance Program at police stations and specialist squads • Raising the organisational focus on victims and those in need of assistance – by utilising our network of Victim - Centric Portfolio Holders • Streamlining the process for referring victims and those in need of assistance to support – through the Victoria Police eReferral System
Slide 8 Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) System (Victoria Police e - Referral [VPeR] System) The VPeR system is utilised for consent - based, non - crisis and non - family violence referrals. It enables police members, as the first point of contact, to refer victims and those in need of assistance to a range of appropriate social support and welfare services in a streamline and efficient manner.
Slide 9 Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) System Court Support Gamblers Youth Help Support Monash Dispute Health Settlement Disability Griefline Support +91,000 referrals Support Victorian After Legal Aid Suicide Home & Centrelink Community Care Victim Support ChildFirst Agency Road Turning Trauma Point Support (Victoria Police e - Referral [VPeR] System) It was implemented on the 1 st of October in 2014 and since then over 91,000 referrals have been made to 150 individual support agencies. It was embedded within the existing Victoria Police IT infrastructure in order to provide police members with a familiar look and feel; this helped to promote its use.
Slide 10 Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) System (Victoria Police e - Referral [VPeR] System) Frontline police referrals assist in early intervention and contribute to harm reduction. When the support agency makes assertive contact with the referred person – it enables that person to access support and treatment programs that they would not have otherwise sought.
Slide 11 Victoria Police eReferral (VPeR) System VPeR includes 18 referral pathways Dispute Aged Support ATSI Support Disability Legal Advice Settlement Alcohol Financial Support After Court Support Misuse or Gambling Support Suicide Dependency Non- Drug Misuse Road Trauma suspicious or Victim Support Mental Health Support Death Dependency Parenting Youth Support Family /Child Support (Victoria Police e - Referral [VPeR] System) There are 18 referral pathways on VPeR and the type of people referred can include – • victims of crime, • offenders, • witnesses, and • people deemed by police to be in need of assistance or at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
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