The breakdown of a relationship, whether it is intimate or family is devastating.
Often getting to the root cause takes time, and is revealed when people feel safe to share without fear, judgement or repercussions.
Upstream Investigation is the first trauma informed private investigation agency for Domestic and Family Violence, created in collaboration with survivors of trauma, ex-police, lawyers and psychologists to provide a holistic service that offers information, education and investigations and interventions.
Information is freely available yet not always objective.
There is alot of information on the internet about redflags, repeated abusive behaviours and the risks of violence. By speaking to someone who will listen to all the parts of your story and help you to identify the main issues and prioritise your concerns, you are given the opportunity to learn new ways of approaching the problem, implementing psychology based solutions and discern for yourself the health of your relationship.
These conversation form the base of a future investigation, captures evidence of abuse and allows time to plan and organise an exit from the relationship.
Investigations can be complex and complicated, yet reveals the issues.
During an investigation we look at every aspect of your life that has been impacted by abuse and violence. Your capacity to work and remain financially independent. Your mental and physical health, confidence and social connections. We’ll speak to you about sexual abuse and family support and then prepare a report that outlines our recommendations of the next right step as well as a pathway moving forward. We will sift through the emails, texts and prepare a statement that can be taken to the Police in the event of criminal proceedings or civil protection orders. We will also identify child protection issues and advise on the best course of action. Statements and reports become vital evidence as well as wellbeing reference points in your recovery from abuse or violence.
Interventions are safe, monitored and managed to prevent violence and resolve conflict.
Interventions are a style of communication that informs the other person of the issues and concerns, with the purpose of provding the opportunity for changed behaviour. Apologies may be offered, Undertakings are on the table and Promises and Agreements to refrain from future abuse are ideal, but we also understand the important of holding people accountable for their behaviour. In the event, conflict escalates and amount to criminal behaviour or an event that requires mandatory reporting, we will help you prepare and support you through the process.
Download the
Upstream Investigations Capacity and Capability Statement Here
Upstream Investigations Information PDF-2
By walking victims of abuse and violence, as well as misidentified offenders, through a series of questions in a safe space, Upstream can assist victims draft an email, formal letter of complaint, applications for court and collect the evidence they need to support their apprehension, allegations and claims of abuse and violence.
Whether it is uninvited advances, unwanted attention or offensive conduct, after you have asked someone to stop hurting you, your responsibility is keeping yourself safe. We are here to support you in creating those opportunities and making those decisions.
The roadmap below explains how an informal report of abuse helps you identify the issues, concerns and influencing factors. It helps clarify the outcome you want and implement boundaries that check in on the health of your relationship. The process allows you to tell your story without interruption or judgement, followed by a series of questions about events, personality, behaviour and beliefs.
From this we collect the evidence available, provide recommendations and connect you with our referral team, based on your priorities.
Being subjected to abuse and violence compounds the grief, hurt and the feeling you are alone. That’s why speaking up will stop it.
Investigations uncover the information and reveal the evidence.
Upstream helps to:
-
make victims and misidentified offenders feel confident and in control at every stage of the process;
-
identify the events and share their experiences, normalising natural responses and validating their story;
-
remove negative feelings such as fear, judgment, embarrassment, humiliation and shame;
- empower victims with choice and the ability to create opportunities;
Due to the sensitive nature of the issues we explain and prepares clients for the questions we will be asking and provide the time and space for them to answer them. Our investigators are skilled in assessing emotional and psychological fatigue and introduce clients to the specific and specialised counselling services when being challenged by a situation.
Our clients say:
“I could not have got through this process without the help and support I got. Just having someone to answer the millions of questions that would come up was like have a friend who knew me and what options I had to choose from. Stress clouded my judgement and made it difficult to think clearly.” Rima*
“I didn’t understand legal language or the implications of how they wrote up orders. Some of the letters I got were confusing and bargained with the details of my story. They would include sentences that meant if I didn’t respond I was automatically complying with their request.” Josh*
“Lawyers can be expensive and I wanted to know what my options were before going formal. I’m glad I got the advice and Upstream gave me personal recommendations, not something many would do.” Emma*