Cook Islands - Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme
Cook Islands - Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme
Cook Islands - Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme
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<strong>Cook</strong> <strong>Islands</strong><br />
Any history <strong>of</strong> change around Police domestic violence practice<br />
The <strong>Cook</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Strategy was intended to provide a framework for the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> CIPS domestic violence policy and procedures. The Strategy covered the<br />
period 2001-2005 (Commonwealth Secretariat, United Nations Development Fund for<br />
Women, <strong>Pacific</strong> <strong>Islands</strong> Forum Secretariat, Secretariat for the <strong>Pacific</strong> Community, 2003).<br />
Some changes in Police policy and practice are a result <strong>of</strong> this strategy, although there are<br />
questions around the extent to which its action points have been achieved. Other changes are<br />
attributable to new legislation, or reflect increased awareness <strong>of</strong> domestic violence.<br />
No-drop policy<br />
CIPS introduced a no-drop policy about 8 years ago, as part <strong>of</strong> a strategy to decrease domestic<br />
violence and in response to increased numbers <strong>of</strong> victim withdrawals and overseas trends.<br />
Some Police believe that this has led to higher prosecution rates, although there are no data to<br />
indicate whether prosecution rates have risen. There was also a view that prosecutions have<br />
increased due to training and better understanding <strong>of</strong> domestic violence.<br />
I’ve had overseas training; I realise it’s not just a family problem. It’s everyone’s<br />
problem. I’ve been in the force for 14 years. The first five years we just counselled<br />
couples. Not any longer. Now we prosecute.<br />
There have been calls for revitalisation <strong>of</strong> the no-drop policy (Liddicoat, 2005), given<br />
continued high levels <strong>of</strong> case withdrawal.<br />
Victim impact statements<br />
Under s8 <strong>of</strong> the Victims <strong>of</strong> Offences Act 1999, Police are required to complete Victim Impact<br />
Statements for the sentencing Court. However, Police have been criticised by a Judge for<br />
failing to address all elements <strong>of</strong> Victim Impact Statements.<br />
Reporting procedure<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Strategy, CIPS developed a <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Report<br />
Form and reporting procedure. As noted, reporting procedures are not consistently followed<br />
and forms are not always completed, although continued efforts are being made to ensure that<br />
all staff follow procedures.<br />
<strong>Domestic</strong> violence database<br />
A domestic violence database was developed as part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Strategy. Its<br />
aim was to capture information contained in the domestic violence reports and increase<br />
problem-solving and intelligence capabilities. However, the database was not kept up to date.<br />
This may partially reflect the fact that staff were <strong>of</strong>ten reassigned to other work that was<br />
prioritised over domestic violence.<br />
New <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Unit - PPDVP<br />
The establishment <strong>of</strong> the new <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Unit was greeted as a positive step,<br />
particularly because there was a view that policing had been too general in the past. Until<br />
2005, the Family Services Unit dealt with both domestic violence and young people involved<br />
in family violence. However, funding for the Unit was not continuous and staff were <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
reassigned to other duties. In the new <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Unit, different Officers will deal<br />
with couples and children, the work will be more specialised, and material resources have<br />
been boosted. A new domestic violence database was set up, although staff required training<br />
on how to maximise use <strong>of</strong> the information. The Coordinator <strong>of</strong> the Unit was making<br />
concerted efforts to ensure that all staff followed reporting and recording procedures.<br />
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