Crime and Justice Bulletin, 2017, no. 202 (Open access)

This is the initial outcome evaluation, after only six weeks, of the effect of the new NSW Safer Pathway program on the safety of victims of domestic violence. This evaluation has shown mixed results, which may be related to the short timeframe.

The key features of the new Safer Pathway program are:
- Use of a Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT) to better and consistently identify the level of domestic violence threat to victims
- A Central Referral Point to electronically manage and monitor referrals
- A state-wide network of Local Coordination Points (LCPs) that facilitate local responses and provide victims with case coordination and support
- Safety Action Meetings (SAMs) in which members develop plans for victims at serious threat of death, disability or injury as a result of domestic and family violence
- Legislation that allows service providers to share information about victims and perpetrators so that victims do not have to retell their story multiple times, to hold perpetrators accountable and promote an integrated response for victims at serious threat.

In the next phase of research on the Safer Pathway Program the Bureau will examine the impact of these elements on police-recorded domestic assault over a longer time period. (From the media release). Record #5438