AVO victims in the lurch after computer error remains unresolved
Hundreds of victims of personal and domestic violence across the state are still left in the lurch after a computer glitch wrongly changed the expiry dates on AVOs.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hundreds of victims of personal and domestic violence across the state are still left in the lurch after a computer glitch wrongly changed the expiry dates on AVOs.
More than 3,000 Apprehended Violence Orders issued since December 2016 were affected in a NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) computer error which brought forward end dates on orders that were still valid.
The department said the majority of AVOs had already expired anyway, regardless of the mistaken date change, but there were still 650 orders which were valid and they were being sorted as a priority.
The affected orders are expected to be resolved by next week.
“DCJ will be providing amended orders to complainants and defendants via letter or email,” a spokesman said.
A working group with officers from DCJ and NSW Police met on Friday for a crisis meeting to urgently sort the error.
“DCJ sincerely apologises ... and is working to ensure it does not happen again,” a spokesman said.
Anti-domestic and personal violence advocates described the system error as “terrifying” and called for an urgent fix.
NSW Police said anyone concerned that their AVO is impacted, or who needs help, can contact their local station.
“If any member of the public has concerns for their own or another person’s safety or welfare, they can contact their local police who will be able to assist them with their concerns,” a NSW Police Spokesperson said.
Members of the public are reminded to call triple-0 (000) in an emergency or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to report a crime, the spokesperson added.
Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
One dead, another fighting for life after horror B-double smash
A truck driver is dead and another is in a critical condition after spending hours trapped inside his vehicle, after a horror smash between two B-doubles in the state’s south.
Inmates, ex-students ‘recruited’ to lodge dodgy abuse claims: Cops
Police detectives have charged seven people over an alleged scam where “claims farmers” recruited inmates and former public school students to lodge fraudulent sexual abuse compensation claims.