Final report on the Safer in the Home program

Abstract

There are now numerous examples of security companies being tasked to visit the homes of victims of family violence in order to perform safety assessments and make recommendations as to how to best alleviate forms of anxiety and insecurity that result from trauma and active threats (see Harkin 2017). Due to the unusual and experimental nature of using private security companies in this context, criminologist Dr Diarmaid Harkin (Deakin University) has been investigating the risks and potential benefits of such an approach. The work of Salvation Army Crossroads and Protective Services has been of particular interest to Dr Harkin since 2015. Between 2015 and 2017, both Salvation Army Crossroads and Protective Services were research participants in Dr Harkin’s investigation agreeing to numerous interviews and information-sharing about their respective activities. This research report outlines the results of that investigation