OPINION: Police alert to domestic violence

Family and domestic violence is behaviour which results in physical, sexual and/or psychological damage, forced social isolation, economic deprivation, or behaviour which causes a person to live in fear.

Broome police are committed to helping those experiencing family and domestic violence and will take all measures possible to ensure the victim and children’s welfare and safety is not compromised. We are also committed to ensuring the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions, and where sufficient evidence exists, police will prefer a charge.

In particular circumstances, police can issue a police order, this provides temporary, but instant protection for a person who is being threatened, harassed or intimidated and allows the opportunity for a person to attend court to obtain a restraining order.

It is a criminal offence to breach a police order and if a breach occurs, the offending person will be arrested and charged. They will face a similar penalty to that of breaching a restraining order.

Additionally, police can assist with advice on applying for a restraining order, source accommodation at a refuge or alternative accommodation, refer you to support agencies such as Crisis Care, counselling services and legal services such as the Legal Aid Domestic Violence Legal Unit.

To report domestic violence, please call police on 131 444, or 000 if it is an emergency. Alternatively, come into the Broome police station and speak to an officer about your situation.