RSA Course Online

Tag: assaults

  • Drinking Restrictions in NSW lead to lower rate of Assaults

    According to the latest figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics (BOCSAR) assaults at licensed venues seems to be on the decline, apparently due to tougher conditions for drinkers and restrictions on licensed venues across the state.

    The measures are believed to be the greatest cause of the decline in alcohol related assaults according to the state’s number one crime statistician.

    The crime statistics show that assaults at licensed premises were stable over the last 2 years but have declined by about 7.9per cent each year over the past 5 years.

    This post from Bigpondnews.com explains further,

    Before 2009, assault rates at licensed premises were rising. But government-imposed restrictions, which started in Newcastle, have helped drop the frequency of boozed-up bashings, BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn told AAP.

    ‘It’s not going down really rapidly but 7.9 per cent per annum’s not to be sniffed at,’ he said.

    ‘Getting tough with licensed premises that serve alcohol to intoxicated people is working.’

    But he doesn’t know whether the government needs to crack down further.

    ‘The measures that are in place at the moment are pushing it down,’ he said.

    ‘Maybe we should just keep things as they are until and unless we see it level out again.

    ‘It’s not rising, it’s not stable, it’s falling so I think the current policy settings are probably doing good.’

    Source: http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Crime/2013/09/12/NSW_drinking_restrictions_drop_assaults_905642.html

    The only area where violent offences have increased is lower northern Sydney were it has increased by 11.5 per cent, other than that the rate of violent offences in metropolitan areas has stabilised.

    The statistics also show that although assaults at licensed venues are declining, indecent and domestic assault are on the rise in part of the state.

    The report from BOCSAR measures crime trends across 154 local government areas over the last 2 years to June 2013. The report shows that there have been a considerable increase in indecent assaults. These indecent assaults are up 38 per cent in Sydney’s inner west and up by 23.3 per cent at the mid-north coast.

    The report also shows a spike in the number of drug possession charges, particularly possession and use of ecstasy which increased by an alarming 70.8 per cent. The report showed cocaine use up by 44.1 per cent and amphetamines by 22.1 per cent.

    Another notable increase was in the number of alcohol thefts which has increased by 34.5 per cent.

    The article goes on to explain,

    Dr Weatherburn said he believed this figure reflected better policing, not that more people are using drugs.

    ‘Police ran operations, arrested a lot of people for drug possession,’ he said.

    Shootings remained stable and murder and attempted murder have dropped.

    The opposition used the figures to take a swipe at the government, saying it is ‘not putting a dent in the gun violence playing out in our suburbs.’

    Fraud has risen 22 per cent over the 24 months to June this year.

    ‘The majority of these offences involve the unauthorised use of credit cards and bank cards,’ Dr Weatherburn said.

    Source: http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Crime/2013/09/12/NSW_drinking_restrictions_drop_assaults_905642.html

     

  • Statistics Show Anti-Violence Measures Working

    Good news recently emerged about the number of violent incidents occurring at venues in NSW. According to BOCSAR (NSW Bureau of Statistics, Crime and Research) figures there has been a significant reduction in violence in venues, a fact that the industry attributed to better preventative practices.

    The number of assaults happening on licenced premises apparently fell 23.7 per cent according to the BOCSAR report.

    Between January 2007 and December 2012the number of assaults reported in licenced venues dropped significantly. BOCSAR however did caution that these figures may be exaggerated slightly because venues may fail to report incidents for fear of licence restrictions or loss under NSW disciplinary schemes.

    BOCSAR then reportedly tested the validity of the figures by analysing 1600randomly selected incidents that took place during the same period and found “no statistical significance” in the rate of reporting by RSA staff at venues with recognised violence history versus those without.

    This BOCSAR report comes shortly after the latest list of NSW’ most violent venues was released in March. The list featured the fewest venues since the program began which shows that perhaps the new measures are working.

    An article on TheShout recently discussed the decline in assaults in licenced venues in the state as reported by BOCSAR and interviewed The AHA’s NSW directors of policing and regulations John Green. He told TheShout.com that the new measures involving operators and authorities are having the desired effect. As far as they are concerned, BOCSAR’s report further solidifies that new measures are working. RSA staff are doing their bit, working with police and reporting incidents.

    He went on to explain in the article:

    “And if you consider assaults in and around licensed premises are now at their lowest level in over 15 years, it demonstrates that licensees are working with police to reduce violence in and around venues.”

    The precinct most thwarted by the increased focus on anti-social behaviour, Kings Cross, has seen significant changes, which CEO of the Kings Cross Liquor Accord Doug Grand says have made a big difference.

    “In regards to the new measures in Kings Cross one of the main issues was the lack of late night transport options to allow late night patrons to leave the area,” said Grand.

    “The major improvement under the Kings Cross Plan of Management has been the improved operation to the late night secure taxi rank in Bayswater Road and additional late night buses.

    “This, along with a higher visibility police presence, and a collaborative focus between venues and Government, is having a positive effect in driving down anti-social behaviour.”

    Source: http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/08/07/article/Anti-violence-measures-working/ZMMXNFYASK.html

    It is important that employees of licenced venues continue to work with police and report violent episodes but it is also important that these staff do all they can to prevent situations escalating to this degree in the first place.

    In order to do this employees of licenced venues must complete the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course – in addition to being a mandatory requirement in NSW it will also teach them what they need to know about serving alcohol responsibly so that customers do not become overly intoxicated and out of hand. Our homepage has more information about the RSA Course and how it can be completed today.