High-risk perpetrators of domestic violence will be targeted by NSW police for the next fortnight as the police commissioner announces a crackdown on a crime he says affects virtually every Australian.
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The operation starting on Wednesday marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international awareness campaign.
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller says every year, about 25 people die in NSW at the hands of someone who claimed to love them, and many more are seriously injured.
"Almost every Australian will experience some form of domestic or family violence - whether directly or indirectly - in their lifetime; this is a crime that knows no bounds when it comes to age, culture or socio-economic status," Commissioner Fuller said.
Domestic violence dominated police resources, with officers responding to more than 145,000 domestic-related incidents in the 2019-20 financial year - or about 400 every day.
"These incidents are tragic and absolutely unacceptable and why we - as a community - must stay committed to preventing violence of any kind," he said.
To support of the 16 days of activism, NSW police would run a state-wide operation to disrupt and prevent recidivist offending.
The operation will see police conduct checks targeting known offenders and provide additional support to at-risk victims, with assistance from the Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Teams.
The operation focuses on preventing further offences through Apprehended Domestic Violence Order compliance.
NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Domestic and Family Violence, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jones, said it was important to raise awareness of an issue that affects people from all walks of life.
"Police stand in solidarity with the community and are committed to helping victims of domestic violence and won't hesitate in bringing perpetrators to justice," he said.
"It is important that people understand they have an obligation to report all incidents of domestic and family violence, not only to ensure perpetrators are held to account, but because it could save someone's life.
"There is no such thing as an innocent bystander where this crime is concerned."
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Australian Associated Press
