Information sharing manages risks
Jessica, from Queensland Courts, is a senior high risk team project officer. An important part of her role is to obtain information about when a person posing a high DFV risk is released from custody, either because the offender has completed the prison sentence or is being released on bail.
Jessica then alerts relevant agencies, such as Queensland Police Service, Probation and Parole or victim support agencies so victims can plan for their safety before a perpetrator is released from custody.
Jessica was one of six Queensland Courts’ HRT members who underwent training in Brisbane recently to build capacity and develop consistent approaches statewide across policies and procedures.
HRTs were established in Mount Isa, Logan-Beenleigh and Cherbourg in 2017. New teams in Ipswich, Cairns and Brisbane have commenced this year, and Caboolture and Mackay will follow in the 2018-19 year.
They are made up of staff from all government agencies with a role in keeping victims safe and holding perpetrators to account — including police, health, housing, youth justice, child safety, courts and corrections — along with non-government DFV services.
HRT’s integrated service responses are based on a framework of collaboration, information sharing and a common safety management framework.
The HRTs are part of the government’s response to the Not Now, Not Ever report.