Meet the police unit working to reduce family violence in the Kimberley

With the West Kimberley home to the highest rates of family violence in WA, three dedicated Broome Police Station Senior Constables are working tirelessly to reduce the occurrence and impacts of this offending across the region. The West Kimberley Family Violence Team is headed by Senior Constables Julia Mackenzie, Jodie Parker and Dan Major, who cover a vast area from Bidyadanga to Fitzroy Crossing. The FVT has extensive experience working in the North West. Sen. Const. Mackenzie spent the early years of her career working in Broome and, before joining the unit, worked as a detective at the Child Abuse Squad. Sen. Const. Major is an ex-detective who spent many years working in the Pilbara, and Sen. Const. Parker previously worked with Derby police in general duties and youth policing. The FVT was formed to improve safety for family violence affected victims and families, and to reduce recidivist family violence behaviour through strategies and response. On any given day, the FVT could attend hospitals to introduce themselves to victims and offer support, organise family violence restraining orders and guide victims through the court process, or deliver bags containing clothing and sanitary items to families in crisis. Sen. Const. Mackenzie said no two days were the same while working in the FVT. “Our day can be planned and completely change depending on what has occurred overnight,” she said. The FVT also conducts a daily review of all family domestic violence police attendance and obtain statements, photographs and conduct investigative actions for more protracted reports or where victims don’t feel comfortable at the time of police attendance. Sen. Const. Mackenzie said initial communication with victims was extremely important to build trust. “They may not be ready at this point to engage with us but often just knowing who we are can help them in seeking help in the future,” she said. “We have really close working relationships with the social workers at the hospital and they will often ask us to come down and meet with a patient.” The West Kimberley experiences the highest rates of family violence in the State, with alcohol-fuelled family violence incidents the biggest issue and alcohol the leading factor of these offences in the region. To combat this, the FVT assists families with liquor restricted premise applications to stop family attending their address and consuming liquor, as well as organising banned drinkers register applications to identify perpetrators who are repeatedly involved in alcohol-related violence. Sen. Const. Mackenzie said the FVT tried their best to reduce offending through education, support and referrals, but there were many challenges. “We often find community members and families don’t want to get involved and won’t provide witness statements to what they see,” she said. “Offenders families will often put pressure on victims to drop charges when they provide statements to police.” Interacting with the perpetrators as well, the FVT attends lock-up to offer support and pathways to help address their behaviour, apply to refuse the accused’s bail to protect victims and identify serial family violence offenders. Sen. Const. Mackenzie said she had met victims who had been in violent and controlling relationships for more than 20 years. “To gain enough trust from that person that they allow you to intervene and help end that relationships is a huge responsibility and something we are very proud of,” she said. “Knowing that person has gone on to live a happy life, free from the person who would instil fear in their life every day is very rewarding. “Sometimes people aren’t ready to end the relationship and that’s OK, we continue to engage with victims and their families until the day they are ready and we have things we can put in place to increase their safety in their relationship, too.” Working alongside Anglicare, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support, women’s refuges, the Department of Health and other government and non-government agencies, the FVT ensures victims receive wraparound care and support. Sen. Const. Mackenzie said she wanted to spread awareness of the FVT and their ability to help. “A big win is when we can collaborate with other agencies and all play our part in ensuring the victim is safe and the perpetrator is addressing their behaviour,” she said. “We want the community to know we are approachable and here to help.”