Activity details
The Multi-Agency Facility (MAF) is a successful ‘one stop shop' providing the ability for Anangu to access services from the South Australian Police (SAPOL) and the Department for Child Protection (DCP) in one place. Being co-located with other agencies also provides security and comfort for individuals seeking advice or making a report, as it is not immediately obvious to other community members that they are seeking police assistance. It supports DCP and SAPOL to exchange information in timely ways and provide responsive, family and community-led responses in the region. The South Australian Police have 5 staff based at the MAF in Umuwa - the Officer in Charge APY Lands, an APY Lands Criminal Investigation Branch investigator and 3 APY Lands Family Violence Investigation Section members.
Implementation progress update
The MAF was officially opened in August 2023. Colocation has improved partnership and information sharing, strengthened cross-agency relationships and role clarity, and improved coordination and responsiveness to joint child protection matters across the APY Lands.
The MAF is an integral part of core SAPOL and DCP business in providing safer communities. Sharing the facility allows for the timely exchange of information which contributes to the prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing that agencies are able to undertake in relation to family, domestic and sexual violence. The MAF approach has allowed DCP to implement early intervention with families and vulnerable clients as a result of close daily liaison with SAPOL that provides up to date information and collaboration around case direction.
As a result of this close collaboration, in the first 6 months of 2025 no child removals have been required in the DCP's Far North office. Furthermore, between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, in the APY Lands, there were 285 domestic violence occurrence reports raised, of which 224 involved an offence (total of 356 individual offence counts meaning some occurrences contain multiple offences), and 61 were identified as domestic abuse with no criminal offence identified. A total of 206 individual charges were laid through arrest (mainly) and report (occasionally). On 98 occasions, the victim elected not to progress to court although other information, support and referrals to external services are offered.
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.