WA should look to Australian first pilot program called DV notify to help combat family-domestic violence

The WA government should look to an Australian first pilot to help combat the scourge of family-domestic violence in our State, a leading advocate for women and children victim-survivors says. New South Wales has launched a new pilot program called DV Notify over the weekend. The program which sends real-time alerts to victim-survivors when an alleged offender is arrested, bailed, sentenced or released. Alison Evans, CEO of peak advocacy body The Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing said “we owe it to adult and child victim-survivors in WA to be learning from what works well in other states and territories”. Dr Evans said evidence shows that current systems in Western Australia cause “a cycle of trauma” for victims by forcing them to manage their own safety and a program like DV Notify could help manage risks. “Too often victim-survivors face difficulties accessing the system to get information and may receive incorrect updates or no updates at all, which can have serious safety and well-being implications,” she said. “Clear, accurate and timely communication with victim-survivors is crucial to building trust and confidence as well as affording them the opportunity to safety plan. Something like DV Notify may also facilitate easy access to guidance and resources relevant to a victim-survivor’s needs.” However she stressed managing alleged perpetrators of violence within the community was essential to protect victim-survivors and must be properly resourced. “At the end of the day, a family and domestic violence system worth its salt will never leave it to a victim-survivor to manage the dangerousness of a person using violence, So the onus should always be on the system to ensure safety for victim-survivor’s by focusing on the person using violence,” Dr Evans said “Even with something like DV Notify we should expect to see thorough risk assessments and robust release plans.” A 2025 Australian Bureau of Statistics report found assaults in Western Australia rose by ten per cent last year, with three in five victims female and over two thirds tied to family domestic violence - the highest in the nation. Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Libby Mettam says the government should be doing everything it can to ensure victims of family-domestic violence are kept safe “We should be looking at every policy option to ensure the safety of victims of family domestic violence,” she said. “If there is any evidence that this program could provide timely information that keeps women safe, it should at least be trialled here as it is in other jurisdictions”. Last year, WA Police attended more than 53,000 family violence incidents - over 300,000 women in the state are reported to have experienced violence by an intimate partner. “The community is sick to death of seeing the freedom of perpetrators put ahead of the safety of victims” Ms Mettam said. A State Government spokesperson said reforms were under way through its Family and Domestic Violence System Reform Plan which includes consideration of a disclosure scheme with “consultations ongoing”. It comes as WA prepares for its annual 16 Days in WA campaign - aimed at ending violence against women - beginning on November 25.