[2][3] In June 2015, production on Hitting Home began in the South Coast Correctional Centre (Nowra) on day 1 of a 10-week rehabilitation program aimed at preventing violent men from reoffending.
Working with Sgt Genelle Warne[6] and her team, Ferguson went on patrol, entered court safe rooms and met women in their own homes who had suffered violence at the hands of partners.
The series was also able to capture the rolling out of new DV related procedures, including DVEC[7] (Domestic Violence Evidence in Chief)[8] - where police officers make a video recording of the victims statement in the immediate aftermath of their reported assault.
Hitting Home featured the first time a DVEC gathering was captured on camera, when two officers apprehended a man who had badly beaten his wife in their car.
Getting access to film in locals courts in Australia is extremely rare and allowed the production to highlight the challenges faced by victims, police and magistrates.
To help tell the story of her daughters murder, the producers negotiated access to a homicide detectives training course, had a Non Publication Order on the Corners Report on the victim's death lifted and secured interviews with the State Coroner, the Investigating Police Officer and many of Kate's friends and family.
Culminating on the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, episode 2 of Hitting Home was followed by a special edition of Q&A hosted by Julia Baird.
[9] Hitting Home received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many commentators praising the courage of the victims of domestic violence for speaking so candidly about their experiences.
With strong ratings and high social media activity, the program generated an extraordinary amount of coverage in the Australian press, significantly contributing to the wider national debate.
Georgina Dent of Mamamia '..if you want to stem the tide of domestic violence, watching Hitting Home in its compelling and gritty entirety is the only place to start.'
Following the broadcast of Hitting Home, an online petition was launched to demand the Royal Australian Navy apologise[13] for granting Elliot Coulson, the man who murdered Kate Malonyay,[14] a full military funeral following his suicide.