Leading domestic violence voice confirms worst fears as victims allege police steer them away

A leading domestic violence advocate says women in SA continue to face shocking uphill battles when reporting alleged abuse to police.

Shocking allegations of police discouraging domestic violence victims from speaking out and seeking intervention orders have come to light as domestic violence advocates look to open two regional legal aid offices.

Women’s Legal Service SA will use a $1.6m federal spend to open offices in the Limestone Coast and Port Augusta.

Results from an in-house survey found women were often steered away from filing an official complaint, Women’s Legal Service SA chief executive Zita Ngor said.

Women’s Legal Service SA chief executive Zita Ngor. Picture: Campbell Brodie

“(They were) being told ‘it’s not really that serious’ or being told ‘do you really want to make a complaint? What happens if he gets locked up?’, ‘who’s going to help you with the children?,” she said.

“Unfortunately, that narrative is a lot more common than we’d like — it’s really a matter of luck as to who is at the front desk.”

Ms Ngor said even when intervention orders were filed, they were not adequately enforced.

“One of the complaints we were receiving from women was that they would often report these breaches, but breaches weren’t being taken seriously,” she said.

Ms Ngor said women are left wondering “why did I even bother?”.

“One example was a woman who was severely assaulted, she actually lost her teeth as a result of the assault,” Ms Ngor said.

The man who was handed a suspended prison sentence and placed on a good behaviour bond has allegedly breached his intervention order numerous times.

“She’s reached out to police on a number of occasions regarding the breaches. But nothing’s been done,” Ms Ngor said.

Community Justice Service Chief Executive Katherine McMorrine, who oversees Limestone Coast Community Justice Centre, said living in smaller towns in the regions added complexity to intervention orders.

“Where you’ve got a small area where there is only one shopping area, not being within 10 meters of someone or 50 meters of someone can be quite challenging,” she said.

Intervention orders can be altered. However, it does come “at the expense of the safety of the people that they’re trying to protect”.

SA Police officers. Picture: File

Ms Ngor said having a permanent base would ensure there was still a legal service available to them if an abuser tried to lock them out.

She also said, with a smaller pool of lawyers available in the region, abusers are able to cut off or limit their victim’s choice by shopping around and seeking legal advice from as many lawyers as possible.

“It means that women actually can’t receive any form of legal help from any of the providers,” she said.

“The existence of women’s legal services means the risk of (legal) conflict is significantly reduced.”

Negotiations for the office leases are still under negotiation for both the Upper Spencer Gulf and Limestone Coast, but are expected to open their doors in January next year.

A police spokesperson said SAPOL take all allegations of domestic abuse seriously.

“When investigating any offence that may include an accusation of domestic abuse, an intervention order may be an appropriate measure,” a police spokesperson said

“Orders are issued when it is reasonable to suspect the defendant will, without intervention, commit an act of abuse against a person.

“SAPOL’s policy is that an intervention order will only be raised when a criminal offence or threat of a criminal offence is disclosed.

“In all other instances, members of the public are able to apply directly to the court for an intervention order.”