Police won’t follow all of coroner’s domestic violence report following Zahra Abrahimzadeh’s murder
SOUTH Australian police will act on eight of the State Coroner’s 10 recommendations following the inquiry into domestic violence victim Zahra Abrahimzadeh’s murder.
SOUTH Australian police will act on eight of the coroner’s 10 recommendations resulting from his inquiry into domestic violence Zahra Abrahimzadeh’s murder.
But police will not implement a key recommendation to have all domestic violence calls to the SAPOL call centre to be handled by sworn police officers with training in domestic violence-related risk.
A serious failing in Ms Abrahimzadeh’s case was that the Central Domestic Violence Service rang the call centre to flag there was a threat to her safety which was not appropriately followed up.
But Premier Jay Weatherill said this particular coroner’s recommendation was not an “appropriate response here”.
“However, the Government has responded to the coroner’s criticism by establishing an Early Warning System to provide an escalation point where there have been process flaws or gaps in the response of a government agency to domestic violence,” he said.
State Coroner Mark Johns damned police for failing to prevent Ms Abrahimzadeh’s murder, in March 2010, at the hands of her abusive husband, Ziaolleh, when he made his recommendations in July.
Ms Abrahimzadeh was repeatedly stabbed by her estranged husband at a cultural event at the Adelaide Convention Centre in March 2010. She and her children had been physically and
psychologically abused for many years.
Mr Weatherill said community attitudes that underpin domestic violence need to change.
“The response we are issuing today is just one step but South Australia has always been a
leader in promoting gender equity and we must continue that strong tradition in the face of the
national emergency that is domestic violence,” he said.
Responses to Mr Johns’ recommendations include:
A NEW prosecutions staffing model and enhanced domestic violence training programs for police and formal protocols between SAPOL.
THE Department for Communities and Social Inclusion to flag and update domestic violence
safe houses.
A WOMEN’S Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service and an Early Warning System designed to increase accountability and provide an escalation point when there have been flaws in responding to domestic violence will be established.
ALL government agencies will gain White Ribbon Workplace accreditation.
The State Government is also considering strengthening penalties for people who are
proven to be consistent domestic violence offenders.
In the Abrahimzadeh case, the perpetrator’s permanent intervention order was modified to
permit him to attend cultural and religious events — and ultimately the murder took place at
such a function.
“The Coroner’s findings highlight that we need to better identify at an early stage any gaps and
flaws in our system of responding to domestic violence,” Mr Weatherill said.
“The Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Service will provide a greater level of
support within the court system for victims of violence.
“This free and confidential service, which will include a senior lawyer and paralegals, will be
funded from the Victims of Crime fund.”
The Coroner criticised an instance where the Central Domestic Violence Service rang the
SAPOL call centre flagging concerns that there was a threat to Zahra Abrahimzadeh’s safety.
“Transcripts suggest that there was confusion about the most appropriate response,” Mr
Weatherill said.
“The Early Warning System will provide a circuit breaker in such instances.
“Women’s Domestic Violence Services and government service delivery agencies will advise
the early warning officer of instances where there are concerns about the response of a
government service delivery agency to domestic violence.
“This mechanism will provide for continuous improvement where trends within particular
agencies can be identified that signal potential cultural or expertise gaps that need to be
addressed.”