Linda Williams, deputy commissioner of the South Australia Police, notes the challenges in dealing with staff who are contending with family violence. Her department provides up to 15 days of extra leave to officers and staff in such situations.
"Dealing with employees who are either victims of domestic violence or, in some cases perpetrators, brings some unique challenges, especially if both the victim and perpetrator are fellow employees--even more so if the perpetrator is a police officer and they're responsible for policing domestic violence," Williams says.