Mark Mitchell

there should be more of this https://lnkd.in/geJTnPw7

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"I am confident there are not systemic cultural issues and ensuring a safe and respectful workplace underpins all that we do," QFD Commissioner Stephen Smith AFSM said. Straight from the same playbook used by former QPS Commissioner Katarina Carroll during the 2022 Independent Commission of Inquiry into QPS responses to domestic and family violence which reported "through the input of police officers, the Commission learned of cultural issues of sexism, misogyny and racism (in the QPS).." Carroll denied, despite some 850 submissions, approx. 350 from former and current serving officers, the issues of sexism, misogyny and racism was not "widespread." In 2014 Carroll was appointed from the QPS, to Acting Commissioner of QFD, following the Allison Review. This independent review was of a sexual harassment complaint highlighting failures to respond to the complaint, and identified “systemic organisational issues limiting the ability of QFES (now QFD) to respond appropriately and effectively” to such matters. Thirty recommendations were made which the government responded as having actioned. During the 2022 Independent Commission of Inquiry into QPS responses to domestic and family violence, Carroll gave evidence stating that her leadership at QFD reformed or changed the culture of the organisation. Her evidence stated this was achieved particularly in terms of "attitudes towards women through education, training, good processes and systems in terms of discipline and holding behaviour to account." When questioned if Carroll regarded herself as having enjoyed some success in reforming the organisation (QFD) she stated “yes, definitely." Given the employment rate of women in the QFD has only risen from 3.1% to 4.7% in 8 years, and women are coming forward with horrific stories of sexual violence, harassment and bullying, I'd suggest the bar for defining success is pretty low. As for referring complaints to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) - data obtained during from the CCC for the 2022 Commission of Inquiry (QPS) demonstrated that over 99% of all allegations that are not dismissed by the CCC were referred back to the QPS. I assume a similar process occurs for the QFD. A recommendation for a Police Integrity Unit to be established within 18 months was made. It has been two years and there is no such unit. How many QFD women will be, and QPS women have been exposed to these abhorrent behaviours and attitudes while the government drags its feet. I recently wrote an open letter to the Hon Shannon Fentiman regarding two previous ABC reports of sexist behaviours reported, which is attached to a my previous LinkedIn post regarding government responsibility (5/9/24). It at least provides a little hope to see Dale Last quoted as saying "It's the responsibility of government to make changes if the current processes are failing and to react accordingly to the outcomes of any investigations."

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Harassment, monitoring or tracking the number one coercive control used by DFV perpetrators. How scary is that. These coercive control tools mean the abuse is able to extend beyond the confines of the relationship and into the victims' lives as post separation abuse. It also asks an important question, how are these abusers harassing, monitoring and tracking their victims?

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We worked closely with Victoria Police to produce the first Easy Read version of their community sentiments survey. This is an important step in supporting the police to include the ideas and safety concerns of diverse communities across Victoria. We focused on the useability of the survey at all points of the project. This involved careful editing of the text to be simple and concise and to retain the same meaning as the original survey. We also took a user-centred approach to the design. We built the survey from the ground up, instead of using a third-party survey platform, to make sure it could accommodate accessibility requirements. We were also able to address accessibility challenges, including the survey’s length and layout, by adopting an HTML format. Consideration of these challenges and user needs shaped the final Easy Read survey and allows Victoria Police to engage a wider range of respondents. The survey has now closed. You can view the accessible PDF version of the Easy Read survey on the Victoria Police website: https://lnkd.in/gBdvJzXr. Image description: the Easy Read version of Victoria Police's community sentiments survey on a desktop screen. #EasyRead #Accessibility #Inclusion #Survey #Community

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Today our State and Federal Governments responded to the Royal Commission's recommendations on Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission), which were handed down in a Final Report in September 2023. The Final Report had 222 recommendations for change, of which 132 were applicable to Western Australia. The Federal Government has accepted in full 13 and in principle 117 of the 172 recommendations it has primary or shared responsibility for, and the Western Australian Government accepted 5 recommendations in full, 94 in principle, 1 in part and will further consider the remaining 32. These recommendations aim for better legal protection, safer services, greater accessibility and inclusion, and a more empowering environment for people with disabilities. MSWA acknowledges the courage of all individuals, carers, and families who shared their lived experiences with the Royal Commission. We look forward to working with the Government and the sector in making the recommended changes. At MSWA, we understand the importance of placing the community's priorities at the forefront. We value the voices, opinions, and perspectives of our neurological community. MSWA supports the response of the State Government and the need for further consultation and co-design with the community to deliver better outcomes and protect against unintended consequences in areas that require further consideration. To read more about the response, including an easy to read version available for download, visit https://lnkd.in/gWgEyqvM... Don Punch

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We'll pass Daniel's Law and create a Public Child Sex Offender Register to ensure the safety of Queensland children. The Register will be a three-tiered system aimed at protecting children not paedophiles: 👉 Tier One includes a publicly available website with photographs and personal details of reportable offenders, who have failed to comply with their reporting obligations or provided false or misleading information to police. 👉 Tier Two includes an application-based system to identify high-risk offenders living in a local area. Queenslanders will be able to apply for a photograph of an offender, so they know what they look like and can be more vigilant of risks. 👉 Tier Three includes a Community Protection Disclosure Scheme. Parents or guardians will be able inquire about a specific person who has regular unsupervised contact with their child, so they know if their child is being exposed to dangerous offenders. Importantly, new offences will be created to prevent the misuse of any information from the register to ensure any actions are handled by police, for the safety of everyone. It’s all part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future. Daniel Morcombe Foundation Inc.

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Great to see the continued efforts of NSW Police Force targeting some of the most high risk domestic and family violence offenders in the state. With at least 28 women in Australia dying at the hands of men already this year, this does send a strong message to men who choose to use domestic and family violence in NSW. However police cannot address this issue on their own. Resources must continue to be directed to men’s behaviour change programs and to expand the workforce that provide these critical services to help keep women, children and communities safer. We need targeted and sustainable funding to build a strong and effective men’s intervention sector. And we need to invite and engage men to consider their behaviour and seek meaningful change. Only in this way can we significantly reduce incidents of violence, and provide safer households and communities for women, children and men.   

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Western Australia to track high-risk domestic violence perpetrators with electronic monitoring devices   High-risk domestic violence perpetrators in Western Australia will soon be tracked with electronic monitoring devices, under new laws introduced today.   The Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2024, introduced to state parliament on Wednesday, will see repeat and high-risk domestic violence offenders tracked across Western Australia’s justice system, including as part of bail, sentencing, parole and post-sentence supervision.   https://lnkd.in/gBwxZCtM   "The introduction of electronic monitoring for high-risk domestic violence perpetrators in Western Australia marks a significant step forward in protecting victims and enforcing accountability. By utilizing advanced technology to track offenders, the justice system can respond more swiftly to violations, ensuring enhanced safety for vulnerable individuals. The integration of coercive control recognition further strengthens these measures, addressing the complexity of domestic violence cases. This comprehensive approach exemplifies the critical role of technology in creating safer communities and supporting the fight against domestic violence." ~ Ordan Trabelsi, President and CEO   #DomesticViolencePrevention #ElectronicMonitoring #VictimProtection #CommunitySafety #JusticeReform #CoerciveControl SuperCom (NASDAQ: SPCB) 

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New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that WA’s rate of assault victims hit an alarming new high in 2023. The 2023 rate shows that assaults are becoming more common throughout the WA community. It also illustrates the increasingly hazardous work environment confronting WA Police Officers. The need for police protection against violent crime has never been greater. Our members show daily that they are prepared to place themselves between the community and harm. After years of wage cuts, the time has come for the WA Government to ensure that our members are compensated for the hazards they face. Another inadequate wage offer will only worsen the current exodus of experienced officers from WA Police when the community needs them more than ever. How much will they cop before they stop?

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“We cannot audit our way out of this” The number of predatory ‘providers’ preying on NDIS participants posing as wolves in sheep’s clothing are in the minority. But it only takes one wolf to do a considerable amount of harm. The NDIS and its participants are being wounded. Real safeguarding isn’t just about auditing people against the standards they should be upholding; it’s about providing a clear path and holding them accountable when they don’t. To stop the bleeding, provide critical care to those who need it, and prevent further injury we need better and more robust safeguards from both the top down in the form of compliance, de-registration and accountability, but also from the ground up in the form of ensuring workers have the training, skills, and support to provide person-centred services ethically and effectively. As NDIA integrity chief John Dardo states in the attached article: "There are weaknesses in the design of the system that need to be addressed, we cannot prosecute or audit our way out of this."

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▪️Hand up if your organisation has a ‘Reconciliation Action Plan?’ ▪️Hand up if you, along with every employee in your organisation, have had endless opportunities for “cultural education?” ▪️Hand up, if your organisation and its “leaders” have made endless commitments to “cultural reform?” ▪️Hand up, if you see, know, and experience endless and regular casual and systemic racism in your workplace and outside of it? ▪️Hand up if you see and know of folks experiencing regular casual and systemic racism and you ignore/look away? ▪️Hand up if you have been an active bystander and have been white-splained (or even black and brown splained by those socialised in and practice dominant ways)? Kudos to these three First Nations officers for taking actions. More of us need to follow suit. Enup is bloody enup! #racism #australia #CasualRacism #SystemicRacism #ZeroAccountability #EnupNau

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When interacting with the police in Victoria, it's crucial to be aware of your rights to protect yourself legally. You have the right to remain silent. You are not obligated to answer any questions beyond providing your name and address. It's wise to exercise this right, as anything you say may be used against you later. If you're being searched by the police, they must have reasonable grounds to suspect you're carrying illegal substances or weapons. You have the right to ask for the reason for the search and to observe it. If you're being arrested, the police must inform you of the reason for the arrest. You have the right to know why you're being detained and you should contact a lawyer immediately. Refrain from resisting arrest, as this could lead to further charges. Remember, knowing and asserting your rights respectfully can help safeguard your legal interests in any police interaction. Don’t hesitate to contact our experienced lawyers at Stary Norton Halphen if you find yourself in legal difficulty to ensure that you receive the highest quality advice and support: https://bit.ly/3IJy5Ae

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As we observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, let’s remember the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Discover how the 94 Calls to Action guide meaningful change: bit.ly/3gmcZcD #TSHC #ReconciliationIsOngoing #NDTR

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Delighted to share this open access paper, with Peter Miller and Nicholas Taylor, examining the effect of patron bans on assault offences in WA https://lnkd.in/dCPdZTtX WA Police provided unit level records for 67,750 assault incidents occurring during high-alcohol hours – 8pm to 6am on Friday and Saturday nights – between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2020. This enabled data from before and after the introduction of barring notices to be compared. The findings identified a number of potentially positive effects, including significant reductions (p < 0.001) in non-family assault offences marked with an alcohol flag, assault offences occurring on pathways (which includes areas around licensed premises), and common assault offences marked with an alcohol flag. These categories clearly align with the intended use and effect/s of barring notices, and the findings are encouraging. The effects of other factors on offending numbers cannot be excluded, but the association between the introduction of barring notices and, in particular, a reduction in alcohol-flagged violent offending appears to support the use of barring notices in WA.

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