Type:	Journal Article
Title:	A search for legal protection from family violence
Other Titles:	Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre Newsletter
Authors:	Wearing, Rosemary J
Keywords:	Legislation analysis;Criminal justice responses;Legal issues;Policing
Year:	2001
Publisher:	Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre
Citation:	(3), Spring 2001
Notes:	Looks at the Victorian Crimes (Family Violence) Act 1987, and the effect it has both on those implementing it and enforcing it. Outlines the police’s role in enforcing and applying for intervention orders and then examines the courts role in these procedures. The research found that, police often did not carry out the application for intervention orders as they commonly found that the next day the victim would withdraw any legal action, police were not happy having to go to court, police felt they got very little feed back, promotion and thanks for intervening in situations of domestic violence. In addition, coordination between police and court services were minimal, victims often didn’t understand what was happening in the court due to legal language and the lack of briefing by either the police or court officials. As a consequence of these factors, many victims withdrew legal action or didn’t turn up to court. Furthermore it was found that the legal system was quite harsh on victims, making them feel like criminals, suggesting their claims were not legitimate or that they were over-exaggerating the amount of violence. Magistrates liked cases to be cut and dry. Recommends that combined training programmes for the police, court officials, refugee workers and lawyers is necessary to improve the access to justice in the family violence area.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13184
ISSN:	1324-4264
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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