Misidentification of Predominant Aggressor Continues

The Implementation Monitor has released an Accurate Identification of the Predominant Aggressor report that examines the progress that has been made to support key workforces – including police, Child Protection practitioners, specialist family violence practitioners and magistrates – to accurately identify the predominant aggressor in family violence situations. It explores the reasons for victim survivors being misidentified as perpetrators and assesses how well the system responds to this misidentification.

Family Violence Implementation Monitor Jan Shuard PSM stated, ‘Our investigation found that … misidentification continues to occur, and rectification is extremely challenging.’

This review has identified an urgent need to address misidentification and the report provides a suite of proposed actions for government to address the issues identified, including close collaboration with Koori Caucus and Aboriginal organisations to ensure that these solutions adequately address the high rates of misidentification among Aboriginal women. 

(Source: Family Violence Implementation Monitor website, 17.1.22)