Victims reporting domestic abuse in West Yorkshire now have the option to provide the report through a video call as an alternative to officers attending at their home.
The Rapid Video Response (RVR) is now available across all five districts following a successful pilot in Leeds and Wakefield.
Since May 2024, over 1000 victims have received a policing response through RVR, when reporting domestic abuse related offences such as controlling and coercive behaviour or assault.
Rapid Video Response is a victim-focused approach which provides an alternative way for domestic abuse victims to speak to a police officer following a report of domestic abuse – without having to come to a police station or have officers visit their home in a marked police car.
A risk assessment is made prior to an RVR video call, to ensure there is no immediate risk to the victim. RVR can only be used if there is no immediate risk.
By using GoodSAM, a video software, specially trained officers can speak with the victim, to record offences and capture evidence, providing a virtual frontline response.
Call handlers first make sure a victim is safe to engage with the Rapid Video Response team via video call and that there is no suspect present at the address.
A link can then be sent direct to the victim’s phone, to carry out the RVR call with an officer from the RVR team.
The officer can then:
- speak directly with the victim to take the account of what has happened
- record any criminal offences and risk assessments
- provide immediate safeguarding advice and/or make relevant referrals
- collect all available evidence such as screenshots, CCTV, or photos
- create an investigation using the information collected
This process ensures an officer is in contact with the victim from start to finish, and evidence can be collected as quickly as possible after an incident or report is made.
The faster we can gather evidence, the stronger it is when used to prosecute suspects of domestic abuse.
Chief Inspector Daniel Hayes, of West Yorkshire Police said, “RVR is about giving victims further options to engage with us, alongside our traditional approach of having officers attend in person.
“We know for many people having police in their homes can lead to further anxiety about perceptions from neighbours and the impact on children who may be present. In speaking to people through video calling, much of these stresses are alleviated and victims feel supported in real time.
“The process is simple to navigate, and it would only ever be used in non-emergency situations, where the offender is not present and not likely to return.
“The RVR team is comprised of dedicated officers, with safeguarding experience, who are available to provide unintrusive and immediate support.”
West Yorkshire Police is also using this technology for non-domestic abuse related matters, where video or telephone consultation may serve the caller more effectively than an in-person response. No app needs to be installed and it’s simple for victims to click on a link sent to them by text to have an officer virtually present with them.
