Seven high-risk domestic violence cases referred to Multi-Agency Protection Service each day

ABOUT seven high-risk cases, where women or children are at risk of injury or death, are referred each day to a government unit tackling domestic violence.

ABOUT seven high-risk cases, where women or children are at risk of injury or death, are referred each day to a government unit tackling domestic violence.

SA Police say the unit is helping more victims to escape abusive households and crack down on repeat offenders but its caseload remains high.

Every week so far this financial year, an average of 418 cases has been referred to the Multi-Agency Protection Service, known as MAPS.

Of those, 8 to 9 per cent are deemed high risk, or 33 to 37 cases a week.

SA Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Duval said if a case was deemed high risk “we are actually saying that the worst possible outcome is a serious injury or perhaps death.

“The behaviour of the person who is offending against them is unlikely to stop,” he said. “Have we had domestic violence-related deaths since MAPS has been going? Yes, we have. But the ultimate aim is to prevent that worst case scenario.”

The State Government launched a trial of the MAPS unit — which brings together agencies such as police, corrections, health, child protection, education and housing to monitor and resolve domestic violence cases — in August 2014. Based on a UK model, it has proven successful in SA and now includes representatives from frontline support services, which help victims.

The number of cases referred to MAPS each week has fallen slightly from an average of 439 last financial year, including between 35 and 39 high risk cases.

Mr Duval said the co-ordinated approach had led to a reduced risk for many.

“We’re currently looking at getting an independent evaluation done ... (but) we’ve been able to look at the data ourselves and what we’ve seen is a reduction in high risk victims,” he said.

Actions taken by the unit include arresting or reporting abusers and pushing for “appropriate bail conditions”, or for an offender to be put under a court intervention order. It also refers victims to support agencies.

For support phone 1800 RESPECT. Emergency phone 000.