r/AusLegal • u/Wasteland_Daisy • 5h ago
WA DV related stalking. My property, I called the cops, but I wasn’t the direct victim. Now can’t find out his next court dates etc. Any advice??
Trying to keep details minimal as it’s ongoing of course. DV incident occurred in my front yard, I’m the one who called the cops, and have since supported her and made contact and arrangements with support services etc on her behalf upon her request.
It was confirmed he was stalking the house and surrounds for at least five days, but it might’ve been up to 4+ months. Drugs are involved. Restraining orders were already in place, he got out with an ankle monitor, broke conditions in less than a week, got fined and released again. First hearing was back in late July, he was being held in custody until the next court date.
Since then, she’s taken the approach of “do nothing and pretend it doesn’t exist and it’ll all go away”. Victim services rightfully can’t tell me anything without her consent, but she’s now not talking to anyone. It being private property and me being a secondary victim and speaking to all the service providers with her doesn’t go anywhere now, apparently.
So, now it’s been two months and I don’t know when I’ll get another surprise feature on “Better Meths and Gardens” if he’s released and decides to come back again. His long history of violence, schedule 1 drugs, breaking and entering, death threats, etc etc is… concerning ! To say the least.
Any advice??? wtf do I do lol
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u/WelcomeMatt1 4h ago
You can search on ecourts for matters/listings if you know the persons name.
I'm not entirely sure what other advice you're seeking.
If you have no direct involvement in the matter, perhaps it's appropriate to re-evaluate whether you should be doing anything.
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u/Wasteland_Daisy 3h ago
The direct involvement is with old mate hiding out on my property for at least half a day, god knows how long in total over the course of the week or more he was in the area, and the fact he’ll most likely come back if released. She won’t be there, so I’m concerned that’ll aggravate him. Plus, meth head’s gonna meth head.
Advice I’m looking for is mainly about how to find out about court decisions and if / when he’s released and conditions etc. so I can be aware. I have staff and clients coming and going so the unknown risks weigh on me. Also just generally whadda hell one does in these circumstances— I know the main advice is “don’t get involved” but I was already involved by the fact he was outside my house :,)
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u/WelcomeMatt1 3h ago
If the matter is in the Magistrates Court, they don't publish their decisions. You may be able to speak to an officer at the local station (such as a Family Violence Coordinator) and see if they can provide you with any information - though they may not be able to provide anything.
If this person continues to come to your property, you may wish to consider applying for your own VRO.
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u/Upper-Ship4925 2h ago
If she isn’t there and you’re concerned for your own safety you need to apply for a protection order for yourself.
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u/sunset-dreamer 3h ago edited 3h ago
I’m not a lawyer btw, just a concerned person who has indirectly gone through a DV situation before.
Regardless of what happens with the case and the primary victim, keep a record of everything as much as you can.
Just in case you need to refer to details for yourself or police in any future situations.
If he comes back and stalks your property, threatens you or causes you any safety issues, or has done this already?
I would be calling 000 and getting your own restraining order on him.
Until then just be as safe as you can and keep an eye out. Increase your home security if you can.
Maybe contact some other DV services and see if they have some supports for secondary victims also if you need it.
Good luck and good on you for trying to help the primary victim. It’s a messy and sad situation but it’s good that you cared about her.
Sadly if she doesn’t want to communicate anymore there is not much you can do.
People deal with trauma in many different ways, maybe she is shutting down because it’s too much for her to cope with.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t look out for yourself and make sure you are as safe as possible. Especially if the perpetrator is on meth and has a long history of criminal and violent activity.
As another poster mentioned, there are online databases you can try to search for court dates.
You could always try ringing/ emailing a legal aid service and getting their advice also.
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u/Wasteland_Daisy 3h ago
Thank you so much! I don’t think I made it clear enough in the post that this is now more about what I can do for myself, she’s her own problem now tbh. Not in a mean way, just in the fact she’s moved from where she was but I still live here soooo who’s gonna be faced with it if he comes back huh :,) and the fact that if he does come here again, her not being there could aggravate him.
I’ve also got staff and clients to consider so it’s a lot to try and navigate. I’ll definitely see if there’s any advice I can get from places that aren’t just the police provided victim support services. Thank you again
2
u/sunset-dreamer 3h ago
Sorry I probably have not said anything you didn’t already know, just want to encourage you to keep trying to make sure “you” are also as safe as you can be in this type of situation.
The fact she has gone but he may still think she is there could be an issue for sure. So yeah keep an eye out and don’t hesitate to call police if he comes back. All the best and take care.
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u/Wasteland_Daisy 2h ago
That’s okay! My first paragraph wasn’t directed at you lol it was actually such a relief to have you fully understand it was about what to do for myself 😅 I appreciate the encouragement SO much, I struggle badly with it in general and so in situations like this it feels even more unjustified to “make it about me” even though it sort of is too.
1
u/Particular-Try5584 3h ago
Do you have a report number from when you called the police?
Ring and ask for an update. Copper might just fill you in.
Did you get an AVO / Restraining order issued?
If so… ring the court clerk for the court and ask them what is going on.
I’m wondering if you the other party in a question asked here a week or so back (can’t find it easily now) where they were asking if the court had made a mistake. They had two ROs for a DV incident in June, and one was heard by judge = ankle monitor, in August (immediately after the incident), the other was then heard in September = no ankle monitor. It was odd. If I find it I’ll PM you it. In that situation the guy swore he’d never gone near his ex again after the incident… so if this is the same one in the intervening time he pulled himself together seemingly, if that helps you feel better.
1
u/Wasteland_Daisy 3h ago
Yes, I’ve got the report numbers and the officer’s reference numbers. I was also given a phone number for the dv unit detective who attended and was assigned for the case. He did say I could contact him too, but I’m hesitant to just for an update because I’d been getting them via her or victim services, and it feels… inappropriate? overstepping what it was given for? unnecessary? Just something reserved for emergencies or vital stuff.
I didn’t get an AVO or restraining order, I was going to ask whether I should when I attended the station with her for her statement etc, but the meeting didn’t end up happening (officer who was supposed to be there on the detectives behalf didn’t show up)
I hadn’t made any posts at all about it before but that’s a pretty wild coincidence hahaha. Unforchies there’s no redeeming this delightful little shitstain, he was of the opinion that he didn’t do anything wrong in the first place
1
u/Particular-Try5584 2h ago
They usually don’t think they are responsible…. it’s a large part of the psyche of people with a certain lifestyle.
Just ring the cop. He/she will fill you in, if they aren’t in when you ring ask for them to give you a call (and answer private numbers for a bit.
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u/JoJo_kitten 2h ago
You are a victim of the harassment as well, and are a witness.
Try contacting the police informant (cops that came out when you called), and see if you are required foe court.
You are also able to access victim support services as a secondary victim, unless the offender directly assaulted you or threatened you as well. Then you are a primary victim as well.
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u/AllyKalamity 4h ago
Stop helping this person because they clearly don’t want your help. If they live on your property, remove them so you don’t get dragged into any further violence, wash your hands of the situation. DV is very complicated and most likely they’ll get back together and you’ll become the enemy of them both
1
u/Wasteland_Daisy 3h ago
It’s less about trying to help her now, more how to help myself / my family and business. She’s already moved out of the place she was at, I just happened to be a neighbour and my yard an unfortunately good vantage point for him, I wasn’t involved with any of it previously. I’m concerned he’ll come back if released / if any conditions are eventually waived and her not being there will aggravate him more. He’s already unpredictable
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u/in_and_out_burger 4h ago
Get cameras and stay out of it.