Shepparton police and the First Nations community have relaunched updated Shepparton Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence to help respond to and stem domestic violence within First Nations communities.
The new protocols were launched following a traditional smoking ceremony at the Rumbalara Harmony Centre in Mooroopna on Monday, December 5.
The original Koori Family Violence Police Protocols project was funded in 2008 by the Department of Justice and Community Safety to strengthen Victoria Police’s ability to respond to domestic violence in First Nations communities.
In 2021 Victoria Police formed a statewide steering group with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Dhelk Dja and the Aboriginal Justice Forum to review and refresh the protocols across Victoria.
The reason behind the update was a belief that the original protocols were outdated and lacking in relevance.
The new protocols are designed to complement existing procedures regarding protocols when Victoria Police deal with domestic violence in First Nation communities, as well as help ensure police understand cultural sensitivities when dealing with domestic violence incidents and help foster positive relations between Victoria Police and First Nations people.
Signatories to the updated protocols include Victoria Police, Dhelk Dja, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Family Safety Victoria, Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees, Aboriginal Community Justice Panel, Vincent Care and Primary Care Connect.
Kellie Marsters is the Hume Dhelk Dja regional co-ordinator at the Aboriginal Strategies Unit at Family Safety Victoria.
She believes that from her experience working with First Nations communities that the updated protocols are a positive step forward.
“Working in the Aboriginal community, it is a great document, which links the organisations, and obviously it helps police deal with Aboriginal offenders who come to the police station and ensuring they are dealt with with respect,” she said.