Evaluation of a specialist domestic violence worker embedded in a police station

Abstract

This Briefing Paper provides an overview of an evaluation of the colocation of a domestic family violence (DFV) specialist embedded in Toowoomba Police Station. This model, while not without initial challenges, strengthened the integrated approach to responding to DFV, enhanced survivors’ willingness to report to police and was well regarded by those survivors. By working together, police and support organisations have a better chance to break the cycle of violence than working apart, and survivors of DFV receive an enhanced trauma-informed, victim centred integrated response. The findings support the viability of replicating and even extending the co-location model across Australia.