Christchurch PSO pilot project provides support for perpetrators

A 'Police Safety Order pilot project' underway in Christchurch aims to reduce and prevent family violence through targeted support for perpetrators. The project is a collaborative effort of NZ Police, Stopping Violence Services and refuges.

The project, set to run from December 2012 until February 2014, offers "direct support and safety advice for people who are identified as being at risk of committing violence within their family".

Under the pilot project, all Police Safety Order recipients are proactively contacted by Stopping Violence Services.  "The SVS worker focuses on supporting and identifying safety strategies, listening to the concerns of the 'bound person' [the person to whom the PSO is issued] and working out with them what assistance is needed."

The project runs alongside established Women's Refuge support and safety planning processes.

For more information regarding Police Safety Orders, refer to the 2011 Police Safety Orders formative evaluation.

Media

Intervention programme addresses family violence, Voxy.co.nz, 27.03.2013