The Safe Families Coordination Unit (SFCU) is a pivotal Tasmanian Government initiative that unites multiple agencies, including representatives from the Department of Justice, Child Safety Service, Education, Health, and a liaison with the Federal Circuit and Family Law Court, to tackle family violence effectively.

Established in 2016, the SFCU reviews all reported family violence incidents across the state each day. The unit conducts an in-depth analysis across various government records to identify high-risk situations and develop action plans for Tasmania Police, government agencies, and service providers. This collaborative approach ensures that victims receive the necessary support and perpetrators are held accountable

The SFCU also has oversight of the family violence electronic monitoring program and works hand-in-hand with the specialist operational Family Violence Police Units. This program is world leading, as it centered on the application of electronic monitoring as a condition of a Family Violence Order, rather than as an alternative to imprisonment or a back-end custodial sanction. In this way, the program is referred to as a ‘front-end’ strategy to enhance the safety of victim-survivors and to ensure perpetrators are compliant with their Order conditions, and this is a particularly valuable intervention mechanism whilst there may be separation, judicial, criminal and/or support service proceedings underway.

The program also allows for victim-survivors to opt-in to carry a mobile monitoring device which enables Tasmania Police and the Department of Justice to offer an additional layer of safety and direct support.

Since the commencement of family violence monitoring in Tasmania, 189 perpetrators have subject to monitoring and 114 victims have also chosen to carry a monitoring clip for their own protection. An independent review revealed there was a significant reduction in family violence offences during and after the monitoring period, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in protecting victims and deterring repeat offending.

Key Learnings:

1. Collaborative Multi-Agency Approach: By uniting representatives from key agencies, the SFCU demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration and collaborative response when addressing the complex nature of family violence.

2. Innovative Use of Technology: The pioneering ‘front-end’ electronic monitoring program provides real-time support and monitoring during the critical period following a family violence incident. This proactive approach demonstrates Tasmania's commitment to addressing family violence effectively.

3. Positive Impact and Continuous Improvement: Since its establishment in 2016, the SFCU has focused on continuous improvement in family violence response, and this has included ongoing refinements of programs and educational initiatives.

The Safe Families Coordination Unit (SFCU) is a pivotal Tasmanian Government initiative that unites multiple agencies, including representatives from the Department of Justice, Child Safety Service, Education, Health, and a liaison with the Federal Circuit and Family Law Court, to tackle family violence effectively.

Established in 2016, the SFCU reviews all reported family violence incidents across the state each day. The unit conducts an in-depth analysis across various government records to identify high-risk situations and develop action plans for Tasmania Police, government agencies, and service providers. This collaborative approach ensures that victims receive the necessary support and perpetrators are held accountable

The SFCU also has oversight of the family violence electronic monitoring program and works hand-in-hand with the specialist operational Family Violence Police Units. This program is world leading, as it centered on the application of electronic monitoring as a condition of a Family Violence Order, rather than as an alternative to imprisonment or a back-end custodial sanction. In this way, the program is referred to as a ‘front-end’ strategy to enhance the safety of victim-survivors and to ensure perpetrators are compliant with their Order conditions, and this is a particularly valuable intervention mechanism whilst there may be separation, judicial, criminal and/or support service proceedings underway.

The program also allows for victim-survivors to opt-in to carry a mobile monitoring device which enables Tasmania Police and the Department of Justice to offer an additional layer of safety and direct support.

Since the commencement of family violence monitoring in Tasmania, 189 perpetrators have subject to monitoring and 114 victims have also chosen to carry a monitoring clip for their own protection. An independent review revealed there was a significant reduction in family violence offences during and after the monitoring period, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in protecting victims and deterring repeat offending.

Key Learnings:

1. Collaborative Multi-Agency Approach: By uniting representatives from key agencies, the SFCU demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration and collaborative response when addressing the complex nature of family violence.

2. Innovative Use of Technology: The pioneering ‘front-end’ electronic monitoring program provides real-time support and monitoring during the critical period following a family violence incident. This proactive approach demonstrates Tasmania's commitment to addressing family violence effectively.

3. Positive Impact and Continuous Improvement: Since its establishment in 2016, the SFCU has focused on continuous improvement in family violence response, and this has included ongoing refinements of programs and educational initiatives.