DV Notify

A new service that is being trialled in three locations that informs domestic and family violence victim-survivors of a perpetrator's custody status.

Women sitting on a couch using her mobile phone.

The Police are there to help. 

Call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. 

If you are speech or hearing impaired - call the National Relay Service on 133 677.

Translating and Interpreting Service National provides telephone interpreters for individuals who need assistance with language translation. To use this service, you can call 131 450 and specify the language you require.

What is DV Notify?

When a domestic and family violence incident occurs, the person who committed the offence may be taken into custody. In the past, victim-survivors may not always have been told when the perpetrator was released from custody. With this new service, victim-survivors will get a text or email message to let them know that the perpetrator has been released from custody. 

Because a perpetrator can be released at any time, day or night, messages from DV Notify are automatic and will be sent at the same time a perpetrator is being released. 

DV Notify will also give victim-survivors details about support services that can help them plan for their safety at that time or provide support long term.

DV Notify will only send messages to the phone number or email address that victim-survivors have given to NSW Police. These details will never be shared with the perpetrator. Victim-survivors will start to get messages the moment NSW Police take the perpetrator into custody and will stop sending messages when the matter is finished. If the perpetrator is given a custodial sentence,  victim-survivors will need to join the Victims Register to continue getting updates.

Below is a short video explaining how DV Notify works. 

1:40

DV Notify explainer

Short video that explains how DV Notify works and how it can support victim-survivors. 

Read transcript
Video transcript

DV Notify explainer

DV Notify is a new digital service will improve the safety of domestic violence victim-survivors by providing reliable and timely information about when an alleged perpetrator is released from custody. DV Notify provides real-time text and email updates to victim-survivors of domestic violence about the perpetrator’s custody status—from arrest through to final sentencing. It will also link victim-survivors to local domestic and family violence support services and crisis helplines to assist them with safety planning and any other needs such as emergency accommodation and legal assistance. For more information about DV Notify, please visit: nsw.gov.au/dvnotify

Why am I receiving notifications?

DV Notify is a service designed to protect all victim-survivors in NSW. However, the service is currently bring trialled in three locations, Liverpool Police Area Command, Manning Great-Lakes Police District and Orana Mid-Western Police District. If you have received a message it’s because you are:

  • Over 18 at the time of reporting
  • Identified as the victim-survivor
  • The offence occurred within one of the three pilot sites
  • The matter could be heard at Local, District or Supreme Court

Important note on terminology

This website and the messages use the term 'perpetrator' to refer to the person who is alleged to have used violence in a domestic and family violence incident. By using the term 'perpetrator', this does not mean that the person has been convicted of a domestic and family violence offence and is not a confirmation that DV Notify has investigated or confirmed the allegations.

Further information

Learn more about DV Notify and how it will help victim-survivors. 

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