Escalating numbers of children, young people and adults experiencing domestic and family violence, and increased demand on agencies and government departments responding to the challenge, have highlighted that current systems are inadequate and have contributed to victim / survivor risk and trauma.
Those experiencing domestic and family violence have to repeatedly recall and retell their story to multiple agencies, many are traumatised, and this process can contribute to escalating their trauma.
There is no simple way for victim / survivors to electronically record, manage, store, protect and securely share information and evidence on incidents of risk or harm and perpetrator behaviour patterns as they occur.
Due to these current conditions, front line professionals and first responders spend a significant amount of time recording the information and collecting evidence. They have no simple way to conduct timely, comprehensive risk assessments and coordinated safety planning, analyse real time data to identify and respond to escalating risk, or track perpetrator behaviour patterns.
Currently many deficient and siloed ICT platforms, processes and tools exist. State and Federal Governments in Australia and other countries have identified the need for a technology solution that will address this challenge and ease the immense burden domestic and family violence places on individuals and community, police, health, education, emergency services, child protection and justice sectors.
Systemic reform must include an ICT platform that empowers victim /survivors to gather information and evidence and securely share their data with whom and when they chose.
There is an urgent need for an integrated information sharing solution to empower victims/survivors of family violence and resource front line professionals with real time, decision ready data. A person centred, technology enabled solution must ensure victim / survivor agency over their own data; privacy, data security and integrity is central to design and delivery.