The aim of the AVS is to assist the police in their duty of care and to provide help and support to Aboriginal people who are arrested and detained in police custody. It is an after hour service and run by the volunteers called Visitors.

A visitor attends police cells after hours to provide care, comfort and support to aboriginal detainees whilst they are in custody.

When a visitor goes to see a detainee their role is to:

• Support police with their duty of care responsibilities towards to detainee, and help keep communication between the police and the detainee.
• Check on the detainee's needs, including comfort, medical, legal counselling, family support and relations with the police.
• Look at the management of the detainee in custody and report to the officer in charge if they think it is not good enough.
• Liaise with and access local community agencies that can provide assistance to the detainee.
• Bringing to the attention of the Officer in Charge the need for medical, welfare or other services.
• Observe the management of the detainee in custody and report to the Officer in Charge if this is considered to be inadequate.
• It is not the visitors role to give detainees legal advice or to sit in on police interviews. Visitors are to contact an ALRM Field Officer.