Question on Notice regarding WA Police protocols for non-fatal strangulation in family and domestic violence cases, and the police response confirming recording of strangulation attempts as a risk factor.

AnsweredQoN 668Legislative Council
Asked
13 March 2018
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to non-fatal strangulation, which has been found to
be a significant risk factor for escalating levels of harm in family and
domestic violence cases, and I ask: (a) do any Western Australia Police family and domestic violence protocols or procedures
directly relate to responses to incidences of non-fatal strangulation ; (b) if yes to (a), which protocols or procedures ; (c) are police required to specifically record
incidents of non-fatal strangulation in family and domestic violence cases ; (d) if no to (c), why not ; (e) do police guidelines acknowledge non-fatal
strangulation as a risk factor for escalating levels of harm ; (f) if no to (e), why not ; (g) is there any intention to review the approach
taken to family and domestic violence to take into account recent findings
regarding non-fatal strangulation ; and (h) if no to (g), why not ?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
11 April 2018
Responded by
Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Police
Response time
10 days
The Western Australian Police Force advise the following:
(a) – (h) Police officers responding to family violence incidents are required to record ‘Risk and Vulnerability Indicators’. This includes whether the perpetrator ‘has ever tried to choke/strangle/suffocate the victim’. These inform the risk assessment by the Family and Domestic Violence Response Team (FDVRT). The WA Police Force will continue to access FDV procedures in accordance with legislative requirements and identified best practice.

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