Report reveals major gaps in WA's response to family and domestic violence
WA Ombudsman Bevan Warner says the system is not working as it should. (ABC News: Rhiannon Shine)
In short:
A new report has found major gaps in how agencies in WA respond to high-risk family and domestic violence cases, despite rising incidents.
More than half of the 388 cases reviewed were high-risk, but only a small fraction were escalated through the support system, leaving victims exposed to harm.
The findings come amid a surge in FDV offences, with calls for urgent reform despite government claims improvements are already underway.
As reported cases of family and domestic violence (FDV) surge in Western Australia, a new report has revealed major gaps in how state agencies respond to high-risk cases.
The report, tabled in parliament on Thursday, was based on how police and relevant government departments had handled the cases of 388 families that had sought help from FDV response teams in November 2024.
It found more than half of those cases posed a high risk of serious harm, yet only 2.5 per cent of those were escalated for multi-agency intervention.
The report raises concerns about FDV responses. (ABC News: Rhiannon Shine)
WA Ombudsman Bevan Warner, who oversaw the report, said the findings highlighted significant gaps in how agencies respond to FDV, creating the potential for devastating consequences for victim survivors.
"People considered at the most serious risk of harm were not receiving the assistance they were entitled to," Mr Warner said.
Mr Warner says victims are being exposed to more risk. (ABC News: Rhiannon Shine)
"The inevitable consequence of women not getting the support they need is that they're exposed to more risk than they should be.
"We have a system that is not working to support victims as well as it should."
More violence offences
The findings come as family and domestic violence in WA continues to rise.
According to recently released figures, there has been a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of people police pursued for family and domestic violence crimes.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded more than 11,900 offenders, with men accounting for nearly 80 per cent.
WA Police data also shows FDV assault incidents have more than doubled over the past decade.
Centre for Women's Safety chief executive Alison Evans said the Ombudsman's report was very concerning.
"At the end of the day this does cost women and children's lives," Dr Evans told 102.5 ABC Perth.
"I just implore police, government and the ministers responsible to please take these recommendations seriously and act on them urgently."
Dr Evans calls for urgent action from authorities. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)
The report also found children were present in 40 per cent of the incidents reviewed, but many did not receive individualised support.
Concerns were also raised about perpetrator accountability, including one case involving an individual linked to 81 incidents of FDV.
In response, Dr Evans said all she could see was the women and children who were living in fear of the perpetrator.
"As long as we have a system that isn't taking the responsibility away from women and children, then it's not a safe system," she said.
What should change?
The Ombudsman has made nine recommendations aimed at strengthening WA's response to family and domestic violence.
They include improving how risk is assessed and recorded, ensuring high-risk cases are escalated, strengthening responses for vulnerable groups and increasing accountability for perpetrators.
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Jessica Stojkovski told parliament the report was based on 16-month-old data and "backward looking".
"It does not capture the current level of investment that we are currently seeing in this important program," she said.
Ms Stojkovski says changes have been implemented since 2024. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
"What it doesn't cover is the $60 million investment that we have made into this service since 2024," she said.
Ms Stojkovski said there was now better coordination and "fast tracking" of 34 new family safety service officers to respond to high-risk, high-harm cases.
A Department of Communities spokesperson also said the report did not take into consideration reforms to its FDV response team which were aimed "to provide a more comprehensive response at the earliest possible opportunity" to those affected.
WA Police has been contacted for comment.