Inquiry Recommends Changes Regarding Misidentifcation

A parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s Criminal Justice has investigated a number of issues including misidentification of primary agressors; overrepresentation; policing; victims of crime support needs; judicial appointments; and judicial training and education.

The report makes 100 recommendations including in relation to the misidentification of primary aggressors. It recommends that Victoria Police ensure all front-line police officers undertake regular training regarding responding to family violence, including in relation to the gendered nature of family violence and the factors informing the misidentification of aggressors (including cultural and language barriers).

Find more information about the issues about misidentification in the previously published Family Violence Monitors report: Monitoring Victoria’s Family Violence Reforms: Accurate Identification of the Predominant Aggressor. This report examines the progress that has been made to support key workforces to accurately identify the predominant aggressor; explores the reasons for victim survivors being misidentified as perpetrators; and provides a suite of proposed actions for government to address the issues identified.

(Source: Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, 14.4.22)

The NIFVS partnership acknowledges Victorian Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we provide our services. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and recognise the ongoing living culture of all Aboriginal people. We express commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and our hope for reconciliation and justice.