This Interim Report makes recommendations to confer on members of Victoria Police a power to remove, hold and detain persons pending an application for an interim intervention order. As the initial response by police to a family violence incident is particularly important in the process of prevention, this power if introduced will be an appropriate addition to the current options for police.

The report briefly considers the nature and significance of family violence to examine whether an extension of police powers is relevant and beneficial to victims, and notes the legal impediments police face in seeking intervention orders in a crisis situation. These impediments put pressure on police resources and can expose victims to further violence.