Officer recognised for supporting survivors

SENIOR Sergeant Todd Sparkman has been given a family violence highly commended award for his work at the Centre for Family Violence.

Mr Sparkman has been working as family violence training officer and mentor in Ballarat since 2018 and helped provide 30 family violence training packages to members.

“There is 21 of us across the state placed in divisions and our role is to perform training and upskill members in the family violence theme,” he said.

“Family violence with Victoria Police forms a huge part of what the front-line members respond to.”

Mr Sparkman was part of a pilot program where victim survivor statements were recorded via body worn cameras.

“It certainly supports the victim survivors through the family violence process because it’s all about real stories, real evidence,” said Mr Sparkman.

“It allows the victim survivor to have a voice in the process and then it’s that high quality evidence being presented to the court which leads to perpetrator accountability.”

The announcement was made at the Glenn Paton Family Violence, Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Practitioner of the Year Awards at the Victoria Police Centre.

The awards are run by the Family Violence Command and recognise employees who have gone above and beyond while working in family violence, sexual offences and child abuse.

“Yes, the theme is challenging but it’s certainly rewarding as well in relation to supporting victim survivors,” said Mr Sparkman.

“Locally in Ballarat our family violence support network right across the region is very supportive and we promote the holistic approach to family violence, it’s not just Victoria Police.”

If you or someone you know is dealing with issues resulting from sexual or physical abuse, help is available from CASA on 1800 806 292 or casacv.org.au, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au, and 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732.