A few days after her violent ex-boyfriend faced court on domestic violence charges, Sally* was woken by three officers banging on her front door.
“I woke up to a police flashlight shining in my face,” Sally said. “They arrived with lights and sirens and wanted to check every room.”
There had been an anonymous tip to police about alleged criminal behaviour, and officers needed to search her entire house on Sydney’s northern beaches. They found nothing.
After Sally explained the history with her former partner and confirmed she wasn’t in need of support, police flagged her business and home so officers would call first to check on her.
Domestic Violence NSW senior policy and advocacy officer Angie Gehle said misusing police reports and welfare checks is a recognised form of system-based intimidation.
Gehle said survivors have told her about unannounced police visits during stressful periods or false child protection reports.
“It’s systems abuse, using the systems there to protect people against victim-survivors,” she said.
Perpetrators making false reports can be charged with stalking and intimidation, and repeated vexatious reports may constitute coercive control.
Source: Domestic violence: She faced her ex in court. Then the police visits started