Question
If PSNI now have a strategic focus on what you/PSNI term high risk and high harm cases, how do PSNI officers help to protect victims of a lower level of domestic abuse? What approach is reinforced to local police officers who will be first responders to some of the calls for help received?
Answer
PSNI are committed to tackling all forms of domestic abuse, at all risk levels, at all times. Our focus remains on providing a robust, victim centred and suspect focused response to all victims of domestic abuse.
We recognise that domestic abuse is always harmful, and anyone who contacts police to report will receive the same initial response from dedicated Local Policing Team officers. We attend all calls for service in relation to domestic abuse, and carry out risk assessments in line with the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment and Honour Based Abuse Risk Model (DASH). This allows for early identification of risk and leads to informed intervention and protection.
Risk identification, assessment and management is based on structured professional judgement, and where a case is deemed as Standard or Medium Risk, it will remain with LPT for investigation. High Risk cases will be referred to Public Protection Branch and into the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process. This does not negate the safeguarding measures being put in place to protect all victims, no matter the risk level. Investigating Officers will implement safeguarding measures where appropriate, and make referrals to our Statutory and voluntary partners to provide enhanced support to victims. All reports of domestic abuse are reviewed each day at senior level within our Daily Management Meetings, and we remain focused on identifying and prosecuting offences, protecting all victims and holding perpetrators to account at every opportunity.
Linda Dillon MLA - Sinn Féin