A Victorian woman's complaint over police's handling of abuse from her cop partner has exposed systemic and conflict of interest flaws within the state's integrity agency.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has been taken to task for its response to the woman's police complaint in a special report from the Victorian Inspectorate.
Emma, not her real name to protect her identity, endured family violence at the hands of her then-partner, a Victoria Police officer, that came to the attention of the force after a significant violent act.
After a police response "riddled with problems", she made a complaint to IBAC alleging corrupt conduct or police misconduct.
"Most seriously, Emma alleged that a police officer leaked her plan to leave the relationship - and to escape the family violence - to the perpetrator's colleagues and friends," said the VI report, tabled in state parliament on Tuesday.
"As a result of the perpetrator finding out about her escape plan, Emma felt unable to safely leave the relationship."
Instead of launching an independent probe, IBAC referred Emma's complaint to Victoria Police's professional standards command and the investigation was allocated to an officer in the same unit as members being probed.
Emma complained to the watchdog but was told to raise the issue with professional standards command, explaining it would consider the apparent conflict of interest when it reviewed their probe.
The PSC backed up the finding of the local investigator, who deemed the allegations unfounded despite finding confidential information was disclosed.
"Emma was again exposed to harm by her then partner when a letter containing the complaint outcome was sent by Victoria Police to her residential address instead of the PO Box she had asked IBAC to use," the VI report said.
It then took four months to send the outcome to IBAC and the agency did not start its review for another seven months.
IBAC raised concerns and sought a response as part of its review - triggering Victoria Police to launch a re-investigation that was beset by further delays - taking the matter past the statute of limitations for a possible summary charge against the officers accused of leaking Emma's escape plan.
"IBAC's process for referring Emma's complaint about police to Victoria Police fundamentally affected her ability to obtain independent investigation of serious allegations against police," the VI report reads.
"It impacted on IBAC's, and therefore Victoria Police's, ability to identify and address any potential corruption in Emma's case."
Four recommendations were made by the inspectorate to strengthen IBAC's oversight processes, with all accepted by IBAC despite it expressing resourcing fears.
Asked if the case showed IBAC needed more money, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said its budget had almost doubled since 2015 and the Andrews government was pursuing police oversight reforms.
"These are matters that are all subject to future reforms as committed to previously as a result of the (Lawyer X) royal commission," she told reporters.
In a statement, Victoria Police said it would be inappropriate to comment as the case was before the courts.
"There is no place for family violence within Victoria Police and we are committed to holding perpetrators within our organisation to account," it said, noting the establishment of a team dedicated to investigating staff accused of family violence.
