Misidentification of the predominant aggressor occurs when police and other areas of the justice system incorrectly identify a victim-survivor of family violence as the perpetrator. This can cause significant and far-reaching harm. This paper focuses specifically on the experiences of misidentification among our clients: women from migrant and refugee backgrounds that have experienced family violence.
Issues covered in the position paper include:
- Why misidentification of the predominant aggressor occurs
- Communities at high risk of misidentification
- Different types of misidentification and how this can be manipulated by a perpetrator of violence (including systems abuse)
- Consequences of misidentification on the victim- survivor
- Effects of COVID-19
- Steps required to reduce instances of misidentification.
