In a statewide police crackdown on domestic violence, almost 600 people have been arrested and 1100 charges have been laid.
The four-day operation– Operation Amarok III– was spearheaded by specialist teams attached to each region. It involved every police command in NSW and concluded on Saturday.
Police claimed 139 of the 592 people arrested were identified as the state’s most dangerous domestic violence offenders, and 103 had outstanding warrants for violent offences.
A total of 1107 charges were laid for offences ranging from domestic violence and drug supply through to prohibited firearm and weapon possession. Police seized 22 guns, 40 prohibited weapons and various types of illegal drugs, including 89 drug detections.
According to Destroy the Joint– an online community working to end violence against women– twenty-five women have died of violence in Australia this year so far. This number reached a grim 57 in 2022.
In Australia, 1 in 6 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner, according to the The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 2022 report.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said there were 139,000 calls for help and more than 33,000 domestic-related assaults in the state every year.
“These figures show this is an epidemic,” said Catley. “We know domestic and family violence is one of the most underreported crime types.”
“Operation Amarok sends a strong message to offenders that they’re in the sights of police.”
“You’ve been warned. Your predatory behaviour will be policed to your door.”
During the operation, police engaged with high-risk domestic violence offenders on 1,169 occasions.
Officers also applied for 315 apprehended domestic violence orders (ADVOs), served 500 outstanding ADVOs, and made thousands of ADVO and bail compliance checks.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said more than half the state’s murders were domestic violence-related.
“Amarok elevates our focus on those offenders who often display the dangerousness and violence of organised crime figures and the fixation of terrorists to ensure that we stop their offending behaviour and protect victims.”
Support is available via the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Lifeline 13 11 14.
In an emergency, call 000.