- Cook Government announces $2 million training package to support frontline workers responding to family and domestic violence in the justice system
- Specialised training for police officers, legal professionals, court staff and custodial officers to support system-readiness for criminalising coercive control
- Funding included as part of Cook Government's record investment of more than $250 million since convening the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce
The Cook Government has announced a $2 million specialised training initiative that will help over 5,000 frontline professionals in the justice system better identify and respond to family and domestic violence.
Under the Legal and Justice Sector First Responder Training Initiative, first responders at the Department of Justice and WA Police will receive targeted training to assist their role in supporting victim-survivors and holding perpetrators to account.
This will include police officers, adult community corrections officers, youth justice officers, and staff working in custodial roles.
In addition, dedicated funding has been committed to develop Aboriginal-led training about family violence and the unique experiences facing Aboriginal victim-survivors engaging with the justice system.
As part of the initiative, Legal Aid WA will design and deliver a targeted coercive control training program for lawyers and legal professionals working across the legal sector.
The initiative has been informed by consultation with the family and domestic violence sector and implements one of the recommendations of the Western Australian Commissioner for Victims of Crime's review into coercive control.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Sabine Winton:
"Family and domestic violence is a scourge on our society and has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and the wider community.
"That's why it's so crucial that Western Australia's frontline professionals receive targeted training in how to recognise and respond to family and domestic violence, including more subtle forms like coercive control.
"This initiative will provide additional support and training for those who are working directly with victim-survivors and perpetrators.
"It will also support greater awareness and understanding of issues that underpin family violence.
"The training is a critical piece in ensuring the system-readiness in advance of criminalisation.
"The Cook Government will continue to work hard to support victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account."
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"It is crucial that our justice system responds effectively and appropriately to family and domestic violence, including coercive control.
"Legal Aid WA's training program will play an important role in ensuring lawyers and legal professionals across Western Australia understand how to best identify and respond to coercive control."
"This initiative is crucial because what the evidence from overseas shows us is that introducing a standalone offence, when coercive control is not well understood, may result in a lack of charges, failure to obtain convictions and increased risk of harm to victim-survivors."
Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Cook Government continues to look for ways to crackdown on cowardly domestic violence offenders.
"Our Government understands the importance of ensuring all first responders, including WA Police, receive consistent training to deal with family and domestic violence.
"WA's police officers already receive mandatory family and domestic violence training, and this initiative will further complement that with targeted education around coercive control behaviours."
