Activity details
The Western Australian Government has invested in training of frontline ‘first responders’ since 2017. Recent investment has focused on St John WA Triple Zero (000) call takers, frontline paramedics and rural and remote clinical volunteers and the legal and justice sector.
The government provided $2.1 million for the delivery of training to build the capacity of St John WA Triple Zero (000) call-takers, frontline paramedics and rural and remote clinical volunteers. St John WA has partnered with specialist family and domestic violence service provider Stopping Family Violence to co-design and co-deliver the training which covers four hours of intensive mandatory training to frontline team members including call-takers and paramedics.
In January 2025, the government announced $2 million in funding to support training of over 5,000 frontline professionals in the legal and justice system to better identify and respond to family and domestic violence, including coercive control. The funding is shared between the Department of Justice, Western Australia Police Force and Legal Aid WA. Training will be targeted to police officers, adult community corrections officers, youth justice officers, staff working in custodial settings and lawyers. A portion is dedicated to Aboriginal-led training about family violence and the unique experiences facing Aboriginal victim-survivors engaging with the justice system.
Implementation progress update
St John WA has reported more suspected family and domestic violence cases, with paramedics now better able to assess situations in person that call-takers were unable to identify. The University of Western Australia's Centre for Social Impact is evaluating the project.
The Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence announced family and domestic violence training for the justice sector in January 2025. For more information see Cook Government funds $2 million FDV training for justice sector | Western Australian Government.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan update.