Seattle University Collaborative Projects - International Academy of ...

An Evaluation of the Police and Community Triage (PACT) InitiativeStuart Thomas, Monash University (stuart.thomas@monash.edu)The Police and Community Triage (PACT) team is a pre-trial diversion program operating inVictoria, Australia. PACT was developed against an operational background which aimed to: (a)improve police responses to people who experience a range of social, welfare and healthproblems and are involved in repeated contacts with the police through ensuring they areappropriately linked to appropriate community services; and (b) reduce their repeated exposureto the police. A pilot phase of this initiative commenced in early 2011 in three police serviceareas encompassing six police stations. This presentation will outline the PACT model thenprovide details of outcomes arising from the first twelve months after its implementation. Viewsof operational police involved and stakeholder experiences of the initiative will be presented anddiscussed in relation to the opportunities that creative partnerships can provide for improving theoutcomes for complex needs clients.51. Domestic ViolenceThe Abuse Connection: Woman, Children, and Pets in a Violent HomeJudee E. Onyskiw, MacEwan University (onyskiwj2@macewan.ca)Despite notable efforts to eliminate violence in families, family violence remains a prevalentsocial problem and a global phenomenon. Violence pervades families in our society. Women areinjured or humiliated by violent partners, children are abused or neglected by parents, and theelderly are maltreated by adult children. Although statistics on different forms of family violenceare collected separately, these different forms of violence do not always exist independently ofone another. Most often, one form of violence is an indicator that another family member is atrisk. While the connection between woman abuse and child abuse has long been recognized,researchers have also observed a connection between the abuse of women and children infamilies and the abuse of pets. The purpose of this presentation is to raise awareness amongprofessionals working with women and children who are living with violence about the interrelatednessamong different forms of family violence and cruelty to family pets. Greaterawareness among professionals from various social service and law enforcement agencies mayresult in a more comprehensive and coordinated approach in their response to family violence.This information may lead to enhanced policies and innovative models of service delivery forindividuals living with this adversity.Being Guided Through the Maze: Women Leaving Domestic Violence126