Notifying Affected Neighbours and Other Individuals

Introduction

This topic outlines information about carrying out the notification. The way the notification is carried out may directly impact the reaction by the specified individual.

Police presence during notification is valuable and demonstrates a joint approach between Police and Department of Corrections in contributing to community safety.

If the police are not involved in the notification, they must be informed when notifications are being done.

If notification is being carried out without the police inform your regional manager.

Visiting the addresses

All people identified as specified individuals must be notified. This may involve:

• returning to some addresses where neighbours could not be contacted at the first attempt.
• sending a letter or make a telephone call to arrange a meeting to notify or request they contact CPS for a meeting.

Relaying the key messages

The way the key messages are relayed is important. Notifications should maintain a:

• focus on keeping safe in the community rather than offender details.
• professional, calm approach, and not involve any negative discussions or stereotyping.

Key messages

Information shared should be proportionate to the level of risk identified. Key messages should include:

• that a person with sexual offences against children has moved (or is moving) into the immediate neighbourhood.
• that notification is being undertaken to help manage and reduce the risk to the community.
• that the offender will be managed and monitored in the community by CPS.
• where the offender has granted permission to notify.
• contact details of CPS staff if they have further questions or concerns.
• specific action that they can undertake if they notice suspicious behaviour from any individual.
• that child sex offenders seldom, if ever offend against pupils of schools near them.

Note: This message should be adjusted depending on the audience e.g. focus on community safety, awareness and education when notifying the mayor or a school principal.

Providing information

The following documents should be provided during notification:

• fact sheet: ‘Keeping Communities Safe – How serious violent and sexual offenders are released and managed in our communities’.
• information booklet: ‘Keeping Communities Safe – How serious violent and sexual offenders are released and managed in our communities’.

What not to disclose

The notification should not include:

• the offender's name or address.
• any information that could lead to the identification of the offender's name or occupation.
• reference to their permission being required for the offender to live in their community.
• details of the offending history such as specific convictions or the length of time spent in prison.
• information that may identify the victims and or witnesses.
• the date of occupancy.

Note: The offender’s name can only be disclosed with prior approval from the regional manager.

After notification

After notification, the area manager must:

• record the details in the community notification regional spreadsheet.
• update IOMS casenotes.
• update the CSO11 CSO Notification Assessment / Planning tool and place it on the offenders file.