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THE POLICE INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATIONS UK

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INVESTIGATIONS

Domestic Violence Investigations - West Midlands Police, UK

* First priority is care and welfare of the victim and ensuring that the women and children are protected from further violence.
* Officers should offer help and practical support and if necessary arrange for medical help and alternative accomodation.
* Speak to both parties separately and do not attempt to get them to reconcile.
* Ensure that the incident is properly recorded
* Arrest for criminal offences; charge for criminal offences
* Refer incident and victim to Domestic Violence Officer (Court)

In South Africa police officers should inform victims about the new domestic violence legislation and its provisions and the fact that for only R50 they can obtain an interdict preventing the assailant - if a family member - from further assaulting them.

* In the UK each division in the police has a Family Protection Unit which includes officers who specialise in domestic violence and liaise on an ongoing basis with victims. Where possible these units are situated away from police stations where survivors can speak to police in comfortable, private surroundings. They record all incidents of domestic violence, monitor prosecutions, take statements and arrange medical and photographic evidence. liaise with Victim Support and other agencies and participate in the Domestic Violence Forum. Their role is to offer practical advice, help and support; explore what the survivor wants to do, explore options available - they are not involved in investigating the crime but may sit in while the victims statement is recorded. They tell the victim what will happen if the case goes to court, update them on the investigation and may accompany them to court. They may put them in touch with other support groups and even give victims mobile phones which they use if they feel threatened. In Sweden police stations have alarm kits which are loaned out to threatened women free of charge, they include alarm systems for the home and phone. Severely threatened women will be assigned a probation officer.