Policies

Community safety

As rates of family violence and youth crime continue to rise in Victoria, there is an urgent need to critically examine existing policies and identify effective, evidence-based approaches to addressing these complex social issues.

multiethnic people in casual clothing standing together and joining hands while working on a Community Safety project in a park.

Family violence

12,104

Family violence incidents recorded by Victoria Police in 2024 across Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong and Kingston councils.

85%

Reduction in family violence recidivism for Alexis FVRM clients during the pilot period.

78%

Of victim-survivor participants reported that the Alexis FVRM helped to reduce family violence in their lives.

$31.1M

Parliamentary Budget Office costing to extend the Alexis FVRM statewide across 2026–27 to 2029–30.

Expanding the Alexis model

Rachel requested the Parliamentary Budget Office to do costings for the expansion of the Alexis Family Violence Response Model (FVRM) statewide. The Alexis FVRM embeds specialist family violence workers with Victoria Police to provide immediate, coordinated support after family violence incidents.

Rachel calls on the incoming Government to expand this model.

Restorative justice

89%

Of young people in custody have a history of alcohol and/or drug misuse.

78%

Have alcohol and/or drug use related to offending.

Therapeutic options for young people

Rachel is supportive of magistrate Jennifer Bowles’ advocacy for residential therapeutic options for young people in the criminal justice system who are suffering from substance abuse or mental health illness. In Sweden, this approach led to a 40% reduction in recidivism rates, and in New Zealand, a similar approach led to a 35% reduction in recidivism rates.

Costings from the Parliamentary Budget Office indicate that implementing this model will cost the Victorian Government $47.4 million over four years, equivalent to approximately $11.85 million per year. A small price to pay to rehabilitate young lives and increase community safety.

Police integrity and accountability

Police misconduct creates an ongoing threat to public safety and the health of our justice system.

We need to strengthen IBAC’s powers to properly investigate police misconduct and protect public safety.

Protect the integrity of our justice system by ensuring police misconduct can be effectively investigated and prosecuted.

Address institutional accountability and implement the recommendations of the December 2025 Integrity and Oversight Committee report, of which Rachel Payne is a member.