Web resource:	http://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/Review%2Bof%2BFamily%2BViolence%2BLaws%2BSummary%2BWEBSITE%2BVERSION%2BONLY.pdf
Type:	Report
Title:	Review of family violence laws : final report summary
Authors:	Victorian Law Reform Commission
Keywords:	Advocacy;Protection orders;Criminal justice responses
Year:	2005
Publisher:	Victorian Law Reform Commission
Notes:	This summarises the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s final report on the review of family violence laws. The report made 153 recommendations as a result of a review of the Crimes (Family Violence) Act 1987 which provides the legal framework for the intervention order system. The Act has been used to obtain intervention orders for people in neighbourhood disputes as well as family violence, which have led to confusion among people working with the legislation with the consequence of family violence matters not being treated seriously. A key recommendation is a new Act to deal with family violence exclusively. A clear statement (with aims and principles) needs to be included in the new Act. The new Act is also recommended to define family violence and its behaviour, along with an expanded definition of family member to include a relative according to Indigenous tradition; a relative according to any other tradition or social practice; and a person who has provided paid or unpaid care. The intervention order system also needs to be strengthened. Recommendations include: a specialist family violence list within the Magistrates’ Court with all the people working on the list to receive family violence training; a specialist police prosecution unit; funding for community legal centres to provide legal advice and representation to intervention order applicants; and training for police, registrars and magistrates. To improve the protection provided by intervention orders, recommendations include: victims be able to remain in the family home; magistrates to receive detailed training on the impact of family violence on children and the potential for further abuse on contact visits. Other recommendations include: physical safety measures at courts to be improved, including separate waiting areas; alternative methods for giving evidence such as closed circuit television, preventing cross examination of victims by respondents; and improving access to justice for marginalised groups (Indigenous Australians, immigrants and people with disabilities).
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/19050
Physical description:	12p
Appears in Collections:	Reports

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