Latest news with #DVSAT
The Age
09-07-2025
- The Age
This tool was designed to identify DV victims at serious risk. It failed
NSW Police have had to scramble to fix a significant data failure in a new risk-assessment tool which incorrectly rated the safety threat facing as many as 1400 domestic violence victims, leaving the risks to some inflated but others underestimated. The police discovered the major 'data system issue' on June 25, revealing incorrect weightings had been applied to the assessments of 1396 victims less than a month after the new domestic violence safety assessment tool (DVSAT) was launched. NSW Police say they immediately 'rectified' the data system problem and insist there were no adverse outcomes as a result of the threat to some victims being under-classified. The police DVSAT is an initial triage system that weights all factors relating to the current level of threat to a domestic violence victim. Regardless of DVSAT weightings, NSW Police are still required to assess every case individually to ensure the safety of victims. It is one of several risk-assessment tools used to assess threat level and is employed alongside others to refer individuals into the so-called Safer Pathways program, where government and non-government agencies work together to identify people facing domestic and family violence and to offer support to increase their safety. Loading The data system issue with the tool was fixed on the day it was discovered, according to NSW Police, which is working with the Department of Communities and Justice to reassess all cases processed through the tool. NSW Police said Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service providers are contacting all affected victims to assess risk and needs, develop a safety plan and co-ordinate counselling and other services. Cases where the risk was wrongly categorised and there is a serious threat will be brought before safety action meetings, which are regular meetings of local service providers designed to prevent or lessen serious threats to domestic violence victims through targeted information-sharing.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
This tool was designed to identify DV victims at serious risk. It failed
NSW Police have had to scramble to fix a significant data failure in a new risk-assessment tool which incorrectly rated the safety threat facing as many as 1400 domestic violence victims, leaving the risks to some inflated but others underestimated. The police discovered the major 'data system issue' on June 25, revealing incorrect weightings had been applied to the assessments of 1396 victims less than a month after the new domestic violence safety assessment tool (DVSAT) was launched. NSW Police say they immediately 'rectified' the data system problem and insist there were no adverse outcomes as a result of the threat to some victims being under-classified. The police DVSAT is an initial triage system that weights all factors relating to the current level of threat to a domestic violence victim. Regardless of DVSAT weightings, NSW Police are still required to assess every case individually to ensure the safety of victims. It is one of several risk-assessment tools used to assess threat level and is employed alongside others to refer individuals into the so-called Safer Pathways program, where government and non-government agencies work together to identify people facing domestic and family violence and to offer support to increase their safety. Loading The data system issue with the tool was fixed on the day it was discovered, according to NSW Police, which is working with the Department of Communities and Justice to reassess all cases processed through the tool. NSW Police said Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service providers are contacting all affected victims to assess risk and needs, develop a safety plan and co-ordinate counselling and other services. Cases where the risk was wrongly categorised and there is a serious threat will be brought before safety action meetings, which are regular meetings of local service providers designed to prevent or lessen serious threats to domestic violence victims through targeted information-sharing.
