Government allocates funding to establish first ever Pilot Perpetrator Visibility Project

Published Friday, 26 July, 2024 at 02:48 PM

Minister for Police and Community Safety
The Honourable Mark Ryan

  • Funding has been allocated to support the establishment of a Perpetrator Visibility Project (PVP) proof of concept pilot
  • PVP is an innovative information sharing platform to ensure police and Domestic Violence service providers work more collaboratively to identify information to assist in responding to victim survivors and perpetrators of DFV
  • The information sharing platform would be used by government and non-government agencies

More than a $1 million in funding has been allocated to support the establishment of a Perpetrator Visibility Project (PVP) proof of concept pilot.

PVP will be the first of its kind combining Government, Specialist Non-Government and Corporate Sector to develop a confidential information sharing platform to securely identify and access data, to improve responses for those at risk of serious harm from domestic and family violence.

The project involves the following key partners; Microsoft, Griffith University, Queensland Police Service, Domestic Violence Action Centre, and DVConnect.

The PVP concept is aimed at greatly enhancing information sharing among police, other government agencies and non-government agencies.

It would mean for example, in the first instance, when police have first contact with an alleged perpetrator they would have access to a much more comprehensive picture of the alleged offender’s behavioural history.

Such an information sharing framework would enhance specialist capabilities in identifying perpetrators and ensuring they are held to account by providing a more holistic view.

The PVP would also support improved victim-survivor outcomes, assisting in accurately identifying the person most in need of protection and enhance understanding and specialist capability.

Underpinning the PVP framework will be a dedicated IT platform connecting all relevant agencies to ensure timely access to the relevant information about those involved in a DV matter.

Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:

“Domestic and Family Violence is a scourge in our community and we as a community have to take every step possible to stop it.

“This additional funding will support the establishment of this first of its kind Perpetrator Visibility Project proof of concept pilot, as it will provide timely access to relevant information to further enhance responses to Domestic and Family Violence incidents.

“I thank all those organisations from the government, non-government and private sector for their collaboration on a project that will make a real difference in the lives of people impacted by  domestic and family violence.”

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath:

“We know through the work undertaken by our 10 High Risk Teams, which includes members of the Queensland Police Service, that information sharing between government departments and agencies can provide more targeted support to victim-survivors.

“It’s a strategy which is saving lives.

“Perpetrator Visibility Project proof of concept pilot, will focus on people using violence and give us another method of addressing and trying to change those behaviours.”

Quotes attributable to QPS Commissioner, Steve Gollschewski

“Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe, and live free from the threat or experience of domestic and family violence.

“Having a holistic view is important when it comes to domestic and family violence, and this proof-of-concept pilot will promote vital information sharing across DFV partner agencies and organisations in real-time.

“By collaborating with our partner agencies and organisations, this pilot has the potential to significantly enhance support services provided to victims, while also holding perpetrators to account.”

Quotes attributable to Charlie-Marie Shanks, Modern Work Lead – Queensland and Northern Territory Government, Microsoft:

“Microsoft is deeply honoured by the Queensland Government’s recognition of the PVP with  its support of over $1 million for the pilot build.

“This significant contribution underscores the potential impact of our collaborative efforts in the family and domestic violence sector.

“For the past three years, Microsoft has been deeply engaged in the PVP, and it’s truly remarkable to see our work acknowledged. 

“As a survivor advocate, I vowed to leverage my platform at Microsoft to amplify the voices of those silenced by violence.

“The Queensland Government’s support reinforces our shared commitment to creating a safer, more supportive society.” 

Quotes attributable to Domestic Violence Action Centre CEO Amie Carrington:

“Together, we stand stronger, united in our purpose to end the scourge of domestic violence and to support victims survivors to live a life of dignity and their choosing.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting milestone because the PVP pilot aims to improve our information sharing capacity in real time.

“This will improve accountability for people perpetrating domestic violence.”

Quotes attributable to DVConnect interim CEO Michelle Royes:

“We know that domestic and family violence awareness has a vital role in prevention.  

“For women and children experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence, their safety is improved if the systems in place to support them have awareness of the perpetration of violence and patterned behaviour. 

“Domestic and family violence service responses violence cannot, and do not exist in isolation. System responses are strengthened by information sharing and visibility of people who use domestic and family violence. 

“Collectively, women, children and men can be safer if holistic and collaborative approaches like this Pilot are in place to help keep people that use violence accountable and visible to support and response systems.”

Quotes attributable to Professor Patrick O’Leary, Co-Director of the Disrupting Violence Beacon, Griffith University:

“This is such an important innovation that deals with fundamental issues of how we can share risk information and make the system more accountable.

“The pilot if successful will be very scalable and offer opportunities to build collaboration to further enhance frontline responses to domestic violence.

“It does require significant investment from government, and we are grateful for this commitment.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to be part of this innovation that has been developing over a few years with shared thinking and planning across a number of collaborating organisations.”

Ends