The ‘second violence’: police responses to family and domestic violence causing further harm

Domestic and family violence victim-survivors can experience further harm from the first response services meant to protect them, according to new research.

The Deakin University study shows that a supportive first response – usually from police – can leave victim-survivors feeling believed, protected and empowered to seek further help. But when these systems respond with disbelief, delay or minimisation, the consequences can deepen trauma and leave victim-survivors feeling isolated and unsafe.

This concept has been coined “second violence”, describing the further harm that can occur when interactions with first responders exacerbate fear and burden victim-survivors with procedural burdens and onerous evidence and reporting requirements.

Lead researcher, Dr Kellie McGlynn said first responses to family violence, including police interactions, should be recognised as a critical public health issue.

‘First response to family violence is not neutral. It can interrupt harm, or it can reproduce it,’ she said.

‘The way services respond can influence not only immediate safety, but also long-term health, wellbeing, recovery, trust in institutions and whether people seek help again in the future.

‘This is not about blaming individual police officers or workers. It’s about looking carefully at how systems, rules, cultures and routines shape what happens to people when they are most vulnerable.’

Published in Public Health in Practice, the research forms part of Dr McGlynn’s broader research program, The Second Violence which examines lived experience, institutional harm and system reform in family violence response.

The study examined existing research on family violence, policing, trauma-informed practice, institutional harm and public health.

Dr McGlynn argues that first response should be treated as a critical safety and public health intervention point.

‘When someone experiencing family violence seeks help, the response should prioritise safety, recognition and care before procedural demands,’ she said.

‘This means reducing repeated retelling, strengthening warm referral pathways, ensuring clear follow-up, and making sure survivors are not left to navigate complex systems alone.’

‘First response should be evaluated not only by whether procedures were followed, but by whether the person was made safer’.

Dr McGlynn said further research is needed into how survivors experience first response across police, courts, crisis services, health services and referral pathways.

‘The question is: how do we design systems so that when people seek help, the response interrupts harm rather than reproduces it,’ Dr McGlynn said.

She said there is also a need for research with diverse survivor groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, migrant and refugee women, women with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, and regional and rural survivors.

The Victorian Crime Statistics Agency reported a significant increase in the number of family violence incidents recorded by police statewide in 2024-25. There was a new high of 106,430 incidents, an 8% increase on the previous year.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue1300 224 636, or Victoria’s 24/7 service Safe Steps (1800 015 188).