RAMP

What is a RAMP?

A RAMP (Risk Assessment Management Panel) is a multi-agency, co-ordinated response for women and children at high and imminent risk of serious harm from family violence. RAMP meetings are held monthly at a local level.  Key agencies and organisations comprehensively assess the risk to a woman and her children and develop co-ordinated action plans across agencies in response to this risk.

RAMPs are not a substitute for the existing system, but work to enhance the response to this high-risk group.

A RAMP works on the principles of:

• Prevention and accountability: preventing men from perpetrating harm and holding them accountable for their violent action and threats
• Serving the best interests of women and children
• Respect: acknowledging and respecting the background, culture and individual circumstances of each woman and child
• Providing a child-focused response

A RAMP structure includes a co-ordinator, chairs, core members and associates.

In the eastern metropolitan region (EMR) there are two RAMP co-ordinators: inner east and outer east. They are located at EDVOS and are responsible for receiving referrals and identifying appropriate organisations to participate in the RAMP meeting.

RAMP core members are essential to the effective operation of the RAMP and can include:

• Specialist women’s family violence services
• Victoria Police
• Community Corrections
• Housing
• Mental health
• Alcohol and drug services
• Men’s family violence services
• Child FIRST
• Child Protection

Associate members/agencies attend RAMP meetings on an ‘as needs’ basis when they have particular knowledge of a case, to inform risk assessment and action planning to keep a woman and her children safe.

RAMP referrals

Any service that works with victims of family violence or who may encounter and/or identify women and children experiencing family violence can make a referral. Referrals are made to RAMP through EDVOS intake. The RAMP co-ordinator and co-chairs will then determine whether the case goes to a RAMP or receives another response.