How Did the Legal System Respond to the Situation of Ingrid Poulson?

How did the legal system respond to the situation of Ingrid Poulson?

Ingrid Poulson's domestic violence situation became extreme due to the lack of action made by the legal system. The extreme threats of suicide and murder stated by the husband were not considered by police. Instead they used discretion and disregarded the husband's continuing threatening actions towards his family. His continuous threats to kill himself whilst in front of the two underage children were increasingly frightening the children and Ingrid. This lead to Ingrid attempting to take both the children away from the house; however her husband did not allow her to take her daughter, so only her son was taken with her. The husband used intimidation against Ingrid in reference to her children. Her daughter was staying with her father whilst he was suicidal and psychologically effected. At this point Ingrid had reported to the police that domestic violence was present. Ingrid in the 60 Minutes interview stated that, 'It is up to the police to decide if the situation is urgent'.

Ingrid's Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) was put into place by the courts once many reported situations regarding her husband's actions. However; his actions still persisted and on many occasions, he breached the order. The maximum penalty for disobeying an AVO is 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $5,500. Again, the police stepped but did not arrest her husband for breaching the AVO. The police discretion in this scenario was ineffective and lead to the killing of Ingrid's two children and father.

Ingrid feels there is room for improvement in the police force in reference to dealing with domestic violence situations. She said, "there were some male officers that were sensitive and amazing -- the female officer was amazing. The other male officers were not sensitive to how I was feeling, did not take the time to ask me what was really happening. In one case, they did not even sit down and I also believe that many women will only feel comfortable talking with other women. This is one reason why I believe we should have more women recruited into the police force, and more training should be provided to officers about what it is like to be a woman in a domestic violence situation". Ingrid's lack of support from the police was also evident as the police did not refer her to a court support person, or family support worker. In reference to the AVO, Ingrid suggests that the police should have warned her husband of the legal consequences of breaching an AVO. She also feels he should have been punished in some way for breaching the AVO. The offenders who breach the AVO usually perceive the contract as 'just a piece of paper' which ultimately doesn't stop them from carrying out a domestic violence crime. Ingrid wishes people