Rosie Batty praises SA response to domestic violence during visit to Adelaide

AUSTRALIAN of the Year Rosie Batty has praised a domestic violence response service operating in Adelaide, saying such an approach could have better protected her family.

AUSTRALIAN of the Year Rosie Batty has praised a domestic violence response service operating in Adelaide, saying that such an approach could have better protected her family.

The Multi-Agency Protection Service assesses about 400 cases of domestic and family violence each week and brings together police, health, housing, education, child protection and corrections authorities to respond.

It began operating in July and is the only service of its kind in Australia.

Ms Batty, whose son Luke was murdered by his father in February last year, visited the CBD headquarters of the service today.

She told workers there: “I wish it had been in operation for me”.

“I was moved actually,” Ms Batty told reporters.

“I will go as far as to say that if this kind of service had been operating for Luke and I, the outcome could have been very different.”

Cases are referred to the service by SA Police overnight and action is taken based on the assessed risk level.

Authorities from all agencies search for the victims and perpetrators in their systems and put together a summary document with all relevant information, such as their criminal histories, presentations to hospital emergency departments or child protection notifications.

They then have 28 days to carry out recommended responses.

Ms Batty said there was “absolutely no doubt in my mind that this (service) will save lives”.

Demand for domestic violence support services is soaring in South Australia.

Domestic Violence Gateway Service figures show that 1814 women phoned for help in the past nine months — equal to the number needing help for the previous year.

The Victim Support Service’s Staying Home, Staying Safe program has also recorded a spike in applications.

Last financial year, 666 victims shared in funding for home security upgrades such as alarm systems, security doors, window screens or better lighting.

About 900 women have already applied for help so far this year.

At this stage the program is only funded until the end of June.

Ms Batty called for more funding for specialist services, and particularly those which focused on changing the behaviour of violent abusers.

While in Adelaide, she also visited a women’s refuge and the Victim Support Service.

She will return in September as the guest speaker at a gala dinner to launch a foundation honouring murdered Adelaide mother Zahra Abrahimzadeh.

Mrs Abrahimzadeh’s three children have established Zahra Foundation Australia to help women leave violent partners, gain new skills and employment and find safe homes for their families.

By staging the event at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the siblings hope to reclaim the venue where their mother was stabbed to death by their father at a Persian New Year event in 2010.

The foundation will particularly focus on helping women to regain economic independence and confidence after leaving an abusive relationship.

FOR ADVICE OR SUPPORT PHONE:

- Victim Support Service 8231 5626 or 1800 182 368

- Domestic Violence Crisis Service 1300 782 200

- Domestic Violence Gateway Service 1800 800 098

- National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800-RESPECT

- In an emergency dial SA Police on 000