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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for domestic violence (australia)
19 results foundAuthor: National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children Title: Domestic Violence Laws in Australia Summary: This report provides: an overview of all State and Territory and New Zealand domestic violence-specific laws providing for the making of protection orders; a comparative analysis of what behaviours constitute domestic violence for the purposes of those laws, and what relationship must exist between the persons concerned in order for the legislation to apply; a comparative analysis of the laws of each of the examined jurisdictions for the registration and enforcement of domestic violence protection orders made in other jurisdictions (‘portability’ of orders); a comparative analysis of the laws of the examined jurisdictions in relation to orders which operate to exclude a perpetrator of domestic violence from that person’s home (where the perpetrator and the victim would normally cohabit); a comparative analysis of the laws of the examined jurisdictions providing for counselling (both mandatory and voluntary) for perpetrators of domestic violence; an overview of the laws of the examined jurisdictions that make stalking an offence; an overview of the provisions in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) that have particular significance in relation to domestic violence; and an analysis of areas where there is overlap and potential for conflict between orders or injunctions made under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and orders made under the State and Territory domestic violence protection orders legislation. Details: Canberra: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, 2009. 252p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 27, 2010 at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/pubs/violence/np_time_for_action/domestic_violence_laws/Documents/Domestic%20Violence%20Laws%20in%20Australia%20-%20June%202009.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/women/pubs/violence/np_time_for_action/domestic_violence_laws/Documents/Domestic%20Violence%20Laws%20in%20Australia%20-%20June%202009.pdf Shelf Number: 120289 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceProtection OrdersStalkingVictims of Family Violence |
Author: Day, Andrew Title: Integrated Responses to Domestic Violence: Legally Mandated Intervention Programs for Male Perpetrators Summary: International surveys have suggested that around one-third of all adult women will, at some point in their lifetime, experience abuse perpetrated by an intimate male partner. Domestic violence is considered to be one of the major risk factors affecting women’s health in Australia and there is a need for the community to respond in ways that reduce the likelihood of further violence occurring. One way of doing this is to deliver programs that aim to reduce the risk of known perpetrators committing further offences. This paper describes the outcomes of a Gold Coast program delivered to men who perpetrate domestic violence and who are legally obliged to participate. The data show that this type of program can produce positive changes in participants. However, the extent to which such changes lead to direct behavioural change is less clear and further research and evaluation is required to develop the evidence base that is needed to ensure that programs for perpetrators produce significant and enduring improvements to community safety. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2010. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 404: Accessed December 8, 2010 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/8/E/4/%7B8E459B9D-346C-4C5E-ABDA-1CA83ABE7377%7Dtandi404.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/8/E/4/%7B8E459B9D-346C-4C5E-ABDA-1CA83ABE7377%7Dtandi404.pdf Shelf Number: 120414 Keywords: Battered WomenBatterer Intervention ProgramsDomestic Violence (Australia) |
Author: Braaf, Rochelle Title: Seeking Security: Promoting Women's Economic Wellbeing Following Domestic Violence Summary: Domestic violence is a pervasive social issue in this country, with an estimated 15-17% of Australian women affected over the course of their lifetime (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006). It is also expensive, costing the Australian economy in the order of $13.6 billion in 2008-09 alone (National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2009). Beneath these figures lie numerous individual experiences of abuse and women’s hard-fought struggles to be free from the immediate and ongoing effects of violence that permeate their lives. This research has been specifically concerned to examine the impact of domestic violence on women’s economic wellbeing and the intersection of this with their recovery overall. To do this, the research explored the ways in which domestic violence creates complex economic issues for women (and their children), and how this disrupts their lives over the short and long term. It has been equally concerned with investigating personal strategies and service initiatives that support those who have left violence to break free from financial uncertainty. The study was conducted in 2009 by the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, which is a project of the Centre for Gender-Related Violence Studies at the University of New South Wales. The findings of the research are consistent with national and international research studies that point to numerous ways in which domestic violence impacts on women’s financial outcomes. This study goes further to highlight that for women experiencing domestic violence, financial security goes to the heart of not only their freedom from abuse, but also their recovery and capacity to (re)gain control over their lives, now and in the future. Importantly, the study has a direct bearing on current debates in Australia concerning social inclusion (and by extension, social justice) and, specifically, the Federal Government’s social inclusion agenda.1 In February 2008, then Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard defined social inclusion as the capacity for people to find employment; access services; maintain social networks through family, friends, work, personal interests and their local community; deal with personal crises such as ill health, bereavement or the loss of a job; and have their voice heard. This research demonstrates how significantly men’s violence towards their female partners contributes to women’s social exclusion. This is apparent through its direct negative impact on victims’ material wealth and health outcomes. Domestic violence is also a disempowering force, undermining the confidence of those affected and often inviting discrimination against them. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the economic effects of domestic violence on victims are, thereby, central to promoting women’s social inclusion. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2011. 137p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2011 at: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Seeking%20Security%20Report%20WEB.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Seeking%20Security%20Report%20WEB.pdf Shelf Number: 121020 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence |
Author: Richards, Kelly Title: Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence in Australia Summary: Children’s ‘witnessing’ or exposure to domestic violence has been increasingly recognised as a form of child abuse, both in Australia and internationally. Although it is difficult to accurately assess the scope of the problem, research has demonstrated that a substantial amount of domestic violence is witnessed by children. As this paper outlines, witnessing domestic violence can involve a range of incidents, ranging from the child ‘only’ hearing the violence, to the child being forced to participate in the violence or being used as part of a violent incident. In this paper, current knowledge about the extent of children’s exposure to domestic violence in Australia is described, along with the documented impacts that this exposure can have on children. This includes psychological and behavioural impacts, health and socioeconomic impacts, and its link to the intergenerational transmission of violence and re-victimisation. Current legislative and policy initiatives are then described and some community-based programs that have been introduced in Australia to address the problem of children’s exposure to domestic violence are highlighted. The paper concludes that initiatives focused on early intervention and holistic approaches to preventing and responding to children’s exposure to domestic violence should be considered as part of strategies developed to address this problem. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 419: Accessed June 27, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/1/D/%7B41D5F5FD-2EE9-42C8-8796-1FB4B964806D%7Dtandi419.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/4/1/D/%7B41D5F5FD-2EE9-42C8-8796-1FB4B964806D%7Dtandi419.pdf Shelf Number: 121831 Keywords: Child AbuseCycle of ViolenceDomestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence |
Author: Grech, Katrina Title: Trends and Patterns in Domestic Violence Assaults: 2001 to 2010 Summary: Recent estimates suggest that close to 1.8 million Australians have been victims of domestic violence (Access Economics, 2004) and that nearly a quarter of all recent assaults are related to domestic violence (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). Although we now have fairly accurate estimates of the prevalence of domestic violence, it is difficult to fashion effective prevention strategies without an understanding of when, where and in what circumstances domestic violence occurs. Six years ago the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research published a report examining trends and patterns in domestic violence in NSW (People, 2005). The aim of this report is to update and extend People’s (2005) analysis. Section 1 of this report begins by describing trends and patterns of domestic assault in NSW between 2001 and 2010. A descriptive analysis of incidents of domestic assaults recorded by police in 2010 then follows. This includes information on the premises types on which incidents occur, temporal variation in incidents by time of day and day of week and the involvement of alcohol. Where relevant, details on nondomestic assault are included as a comparison. Section 1 also provides new information on regional variation in domestic assault. In Section 2, we explore characteristics of both victims and offenders involved in domestic assault. Key factors explored are the age, gender and Indigenous status of both the victim and the offender, as well as the victim-offender relationship. Section 3 then compares the general characteristics of victims who reported the most recent incident of domestic assault to the police with those who did not. For this last part of the analysis we used data from the regular crime victimisation survey collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Details: Sydney: New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2011. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Bureau Brief, Issue Paper no. 61: Accessed August 11, 2011 at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/BB61.pdf/$file/BB61.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/BB61.pdf/$file/BB61.pdf Shelf Number: 122362 Keywords: Crime VictimizationDomestic AssaultDomestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceVictims of Family Violence |
Author: Wilkinson, Emma Title: Maribyrnong Respect and Equity: Preventing Violence Against Women Summary: Violence against women is widely recognised as a global problem and the most widespread violation of human rights. Violence against women takes many forms and affects all communities, irrespective of class, race or culture. Intimate partner violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15–44 (VicHealth 2006). Locally and internationally there is growing momentum to respond to and prevent violence against women. Local governments are increasingly recognising the key role they have to play. The project is guided by the VicHealth Preventing Violence Against Women: A Framework For Action (VicHealth 2009). The framework recommends a range of mutually reinforcing strategies across societal, organisational and individual levels and in various community settings. Local government is recognised as having a profound ability to influence social and community change through leadership, coordination, service delivery, infrastructure, networks and partnerships and direct engagement with the community. The Victorian government ten year strategy to prevent violence against women also identifies the crucial role of local government and present the work of Maribyrnong City Council as a case study. Respect & equity project objectives Consolidate and strengthen the activities undertaken within the Maribyrnong Preventing Violence Against Women (PVAW) Action Plan 2007-2008 Embed and drive cultural change by incorporating the determinants of gender violence into local government policy, planning, strategy, programs and action plan development Increase awareness and understanding of violence against women issues across settings with the broader community Document and disseminate the learning and challenges of the primary prevention activities implemented across a local government area. Preventing violence against women requires a coordinated, long-term approach, which recognises the gendered nature of violence, responds to and engages with the evidence and integrates a range of mutually reinforcing strategies across the Council and community. These strategies need to address the determinants of violence against women using an ecological approach to understanding and responding to violence. The key themes for action guide activities and provide the most potential for positive impact and change: Support and promote equal and respectful relationships between women and men Support and promote non-violent, gender equitable, inclusive norms within the organisation and community culture Improve structural supports to uphold this culture, enhance social connection and encourage women's full participation in life. Details: Melbourne: VicHealth, 2011. 132p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 15, 2011 at: www.vichealth.vic.gov.au Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 123363 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: McFerran, Ludo Title: Safe at Home, Safe at Work? National Domestic Violence and the Workplace Survey (2011) Summary: This report is product of a comprehensive national survey of over 3,600 employees, conducted by the Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse in conjunction with Micromex in accordance with University of New South Wales ethics approval. It provides clear evidence of the prevalence of domestic violence as it affects the Australian workforce and a focussed assessment of impacts of domestic violence on workers and workplaces. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2011. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 17, 2012 at: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Domestic_violence_and_work_survey_report_2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Domestic_violence_and_work_survey_report_2011.pdf Shelf Number: 123641 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Fish, Ellen Title: 'Bad Mothers and Invisible Fathers': Parenting in the Context of Domestic Violence Summary: For a perpetrator of domestic violence, one of the most effective ways to hurt and control his partner is to undermine her mothering. This Discussion Paper reviews the research on mothering and fathering in the context of domestic violence. It finds that women are often held responsible for the effects of their partner’s domestic violence on their children, while the behaviour of the violent man as a father remains invisible. It considers: • What tactics do perpetrators of domestic violence use to undermine women’s mothering? • What effects does this have on a woman’s parenting and her relationship with her children? • What kind of fathering is provided by men who perpetrate domestic violence? • Why do courts and services assume that a perpetrator of domestic violence will still be a good father? • How can services develop an understanding that children’s wellbeing is the responsibility of both parents, and hold perpetrators accountable for the effects of their behavior on their children? Details: Melbourne: Domestic Violence Resource Centre, Victoria, 2009. Source: Discussion Paper No. 7: Internet Resource: Accessed March 6, 2012 at Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 124390 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Parents, Mothers (Australia) |
Author: Birdsey, Emma M. Title: The Domestic Violence Intervention Court Model: A follow-up study Summary: The primary aim of the current study is to examine whether domestic violence police and court outcomes have hanged since the commencement of the Domestic Violence Intervention Court Model (DVICM). Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to determine whether the DVICM resulted in the following: an increase in the proportion of persons of interest charged with a domestic violence offence; an increase in the proportion of domestic violence matters finalised on a plea of guilty; a decrease in the proportion of matters finalised on a dismissal; an increase in the proportion of penalties of bonds with supervision; an increase in the proportion of penalties of imprisonment; a decrease in the time from first court appearance to finalisation in court; an increase in the proportion of matters finalised with a plea of guilty within three weeks of first court appearance; and an increase in the proportion of matters finalised within 12 weeks of the police event date. The test sites were Campbelltown, Macquarie Fields, and Wagga Wagga Local Area Commands. The rest of NSW was used as the control group. The DVICM increased the proportion of persons of interest charged in Macquarie Fields but not in Campbelltown or Wagga Wagga Local Area Commands. It reduced the time taken to finalise domestic violence matters in Campbelltown and Wagga Wagga Local Courts. The DVICM did not affect the proportion of matters finalised on a plea of guilty; the proportion of matters finalised on a dismissal; the proportion of penalties of bonds with supervision; nor the proportion of penalties of imprisonment. The DVICM was successful in achieving some but not all of its aims. Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2012. 16p. Source: Crime and Justice Bulletin, Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice No. 155: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2012 at http://www.sheriff.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/Corporate/ll_corporate.nsf/vwFiles/060312_BOCSAR_CJB155.pdf/$file/060312_BOCSAR_CJB155.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.sheriff.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/Corporate/ll_corporate.nsf/vwFiles/060312_BOCSAR_CJB155.pdf/$file/060312_BOCSAR_CJB155.pdf Shelf Number: 124398 Keywords: Domestic Abuse (Australia)Domestic Violence (Australia)Evaluative StudiesFamily ViolenceIntervention ProgramsSpousal Abuse (Australia) |
Author: New South Wales. Audit Office Title: Responding to domestic and family violence Summary: Domestic and family violence damages too many people in our community. In 2010, NSW Police responded to over 126,000 incidents involving domestic and family violence. It is also present in 50 per cent of households where children are abused, and contributes to nearly 20 per cent of homelessness. Australian studies indicate that domestic and family violence contributes to death, ill health and disability amongst women under 45 years of age more than any other single factor, including smoking or obesity. Domestic and family violence is estimated to cost the NSW economy more than $4.5 billion each year. The NSW Government recognises that domestic and family violence requires a coordinated response, particularly from the NSW Police Force (Police), Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS), NSW Ministry of Health and the Department of Attorney General and Justice (DAGJ). This audit assessed how well government and funded non-government organisations work together to respond to domestic and family violence. We use the words ‘organisation’, ‘health’ and ‘human services’ to refer to both government and non-government sectors unless specified otherwise. NSW Health is used to describe health services operated by the NSW Government. Organisations generally work together to improve the safety of victims when there is an overt and serious crisis, particularly when children are involved. After the crisis, there is some coordinated follow-up in a growing number of locations. These initiatives operate in isolation without common oversight or a plan to extend them across the State. Organisations fail to respond to most of the domestic and family violence that occurs largely because it is not reported. They are not providing a solution that works or lasts for many victims and perpetrators. Apart from Police and DAGJ, government organisations do not know how much their day to day operations are affected by domestic and family violence. Organisations do not have a strategy for working together across the State in response to domestic and family violence. There is no shared understanding between organisations of each others roles in providing a more responsive system that encourages people to seek help and provides them with support when they do so. Two in three victims of violence do not go to the Police and we found no progress in reducing this high level of under-reporting. There was no significant increase in the amount of domestic and family violence reported to Police between 2006 and 2010. On average, domestic and family violence kills 36 people each year, but only one in ten victims were known by Police to be in an abusive relationship in the year before their deaths. Nearly half of the 92,215 victims and 81,772 perpetrators, who came to the attention of Police in 2010 over family and domestic violence incidents, had a history of such incidents over the preceding five years. Twelve per cent (10,680) of victims had been victimised five or more times and 16 per cent (12,980) of perpetrators had been identified as perpetrators five or more times. Domestic and family violence generates a significant amount of work for Government including nine per cent of police call-outs, 13 per cent of persons charged in Local Courts and significant health and welfare activity. Better information about the effect of domestic and family violence on organisations could help set priorities and drive a more balanced and strategic response to domestic and family violence. There are no standard ways to access services for victims and perpetrators that might help prevent ongoing violence. Unlike Victoria, Western Australia and parts of England, New South Wales does not have a common framework to identify domestic and family violence, assess risk, prioritise need and refer people to services. The lack of coordination is a particular problem for repeat victims and perpetrators, many of whom have complex mental health, drug and alcohol problems and are difficult to work with. New South Wales has trialled a range of projects to improve the way that organisations work together to support vulnerable people in particular communities. Many of these projects have been evaluated, found to help and continue to be funded. Some have been expanded to other communities, but there is no plan to consolidate or mainstream these approaches across the State. The response to domestic and family violence remains fragmented and access to help depends on where you live. Government and non-government staff dealing with domestic and family violence at the State and local level told us the biggest challenges they faced were a lack of the following: coordination, an effective way to refer people, safe accommodation for victims and children, training and perpetrator programs. In its current form the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan does not provide an adequate framework for coordination. There is no implementation plan, no performance indicators for monitoring progress and no comprehensive mapping of available services. Details: Sydney: Audit Office of New South Wales, 2011. 48p. Source: http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/143/Responding_Performance Audit: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at to_Domestic_Family_Violence_Full_Report.pdf.aspx Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/143/Responding_Performance Audit: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at to_Domestic_Family_Violence_Full_Report.pdf.aspx Shelf Number: 124580 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence (Australia) |
Author: Wilcox, Karen Title: Family Law and Family Violence: Research to Practice Summary: The last ten years have seen a growth in the knowledge base around children's need for safe, stable and secure environments. There is a deepening understanding of the harm and damage that occurs when safety and security are compromised, and children are exposed to threats and fear. Yet, responses to families experiencing violence and abuse have not always kept pace with these advances in research. The laws, systems and services with which families engage can fail to provide or support the factors necessary to enable children to thrive. They may instead undermine the work of protective and safe parents who are attempting to create such environments. At their worst, bureaucratic and legal interventions can become the catalysts that lead to increased or ongoing harm or trauma. It is in the interests of all practitioners and professionals whose work has an impact on families, therefore, to ensure that they do not exacerbate the damage faced by children exposed to violence, instead that their work supports the circumstances that enable children to heal, thrive and grow. This Research into Practice Brief considers how practitioners can use the evidence base to better understand and improve the experiences of children and their protective parents when they engage with family law systems, post-separation from the abuser. The paper aims to provide discussion points and practice reflections for family law sector professionals working at the intersection of these two fields, and to better equip domestic violence sector workers to engage with this sector around their shared concerns. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, The University of New South Wales, 2012. 14p. Source: Research & Practice Brief No. 2: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2012 at http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Research_&_Practice_Brief_2.pdf?zbrandid=2039&zidType=CH&zid=2561317&zsubscriberId=503577326&zbdom=http://aracy.informz.net Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Research_&_Practice_Brief_2.pdf?zbrandid=2039&zidType=CH&zid=2561317&zsubscriberId=503577326&zbdom=http://aracy.informz.net Shelf Number: 124638 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence (Australia) |
Author: Poynton, Suzanne Title: Apprehended Personal Violence Orders - A Survey of NSW Magistrates and Registrars Summary: Under Section 18 of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act a person(s) who is in need of protection from someone with whom they do not have a domestic relationship can personally apply for an APVO through the Local Court or the police can apply for an APVO on their behalf. For an APVO to be granted, the court must be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the person(s) in need of protection has reasonable grounds to fear and in fact fears that the defendant will engage in violence, stalking or intimidation against them. If an APVO is granted, the court can prohibit or restrict the defendant from approaching the protected person; prohibit or restrict the defendant’s access to the protected person’s home or place of work; and prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms or other weapons by the defendant. If a defendant knowingly breaches conditions of an APVO order then he or she can be imprisoned for up to two years. In order to assess the frequency with which APVOs are sought for frivolous or vexatious reasons, the Bureau conducted an online survey of 210 NSW magistrates and registrars. Of the 207 respondents who dealt with APVOs in the last 12 months, 121 (58.5%) indicated that they occasionally or sometimes dealt with frivolous or vexatious APVOs. Nearly 30 per cent indicated that they rarely dealt with frivolous or vexatious APVOs and five respondents reported they never dealt with these types of matters. Only 21 respondents (10.1%) reported that more than half of the APVOs that they deal with are frivolous or vexatious in nature. Magistrates and registrars reported that frivolous or vexatious APVO applications typically involve trivial/insignificant matters or a single act of harassment. Neighbours and acquaintances/former friends are most often the parties involved in frivolous or vexatious APVOs, with 64 per cent of respondents reporting that neighbours are frequently, usually or almost always involved in these types of matters, and 42 per cent reporting that acquaintances/former friends are frequently, usually or almost always the disputing parties. Disputes between public housing authorities/tenants were the next most frequent category of response, with nearly one-third of respondents stating that frivolous or vexatious APVOs frequently, usually or almost always involve disputes between these parties. Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2012. 13p. Source: Internet Resoruce: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, No. 161: Accessed May 9, 2012 at: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/CJB161.pdf/$file/CJB161.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/vwFiles/CJB161.pdf/$file/CJB161.pdf Shelf Number: 125221 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)HarassmentPersonal ViolenceProtection OrdersStalking |
Author: Laing, Lesley Title: Evaluation of the Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS) Summary: THE Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service (GVLDVS) is one of six specialist domestic violence services funded under the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services Program (ID&FVSP). Originally providing a service only to women and children in Green Valley, the service was expanded under the ID&FVSP program to comprise six staff and extended to cover the Liverpool LGA. The GVLDVS is auspiced by the South Western Sydney Local Health District, and is one of only two specialist domestic violence services located within the NSW Health sector. The brief of the service extends beyond the provision of direct services to women and children experiencing domestic violence to include an explicit focus on the promotion of a coordinated interagency response to domestic violence. Expanding the service beyond the Green Valley post code area was a recommendation of the evaluation of the original Green Valley service. This established common service boundaries with other agencies in the Liverpool area, overcoming barriers to referral and coordination that had limited the availability of this specialist service to many women and children. Whereas the GVDVS was the sole, specialist domestic violence service in Green Valley, the expanded GVLDVS is one of a number of services providing support to women experiencing domestic violence in the wider Liverpool area. These other services include a number of long-established women’s services and two new domestic violence services: Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV), which works to enable women to remain in their homes, where it is safe to do so and the Domestic Violence Support Western Sydney Service (DVSWSS) which was established in response to the NSW Government’s Homelessness Action Plan. This more complex service delivery context calls for attention to collaboration to ensure the best use of domestic violence resources, to avoid duplication and service delivery ‘gaps’ that can jeopardize the safety of women and children. This evaluation aimed to explore: The impact the GVLDVS has on women and children living in the Liverpool LGA who have experienced domestic violence; Awareness and understanding of the GVLDVS by interagency partners in Liverpool; The impact the GVLDVS has on interagency collaboration and coordination, looking particularly at developing partnerships in the context of the GVLDVS expansion into the wider Liverpool area; The impact the GVLDVS has on education, training and community development around the issue of domestic violence in the Liverpool area. The evaluation also examines the ways in which the GVLDVS fulfils its objectives to: Enhance the safety of women and children; Assist women and children to overcome the effects of domestic violence on their lives and relationships; Promote coordinated responses to domestic violence by a range of services including police, courts, health, child protection, housing and non-government agencies. mixed methodology involving the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data was used to evaluate this program, consistent with evaluations carried out in complex service delivery contexts (Keys Young, 2000). Including the voices of service users, those delivering the service and interagency partners, is essential in domestic violence service evaluation (Sulllivan, 2001). Data was collected from multiple sources: 6 Evaluation of the Green Valley Liverpool Domestic Violence Service Women who have used the service (where their safe participation could be organised); Staff of the GVLDVS; Interagency partners; Data collected under the ID&FVSP evaluation strategy on referrals to and from the GVLDVS, types of services provided and client demographics; Documentation of interagency partnerships; education, training and preventive initiatives; and therapeutic and support groups; Documentation of the reinvigorated partnership between the GVLDVS and the Green Valley police. Chapter 1 sets the context for the evaluation and outlines the methodology used. Chapter 2 draws on data from interviews with GVLDVS staff and interagency partners to paint a picture of the current context of service delivery to women and children experiencing domestic violence in Liverpool. It provides a context for the findings from interviews with women clients and interagency partners about the operations of the GVLDVS which are presented in the following chapters. While there is considerable consistency in the issues raised by both groups of respondents, each also identified particular challenges for coordinated service delivery. The GVLDVS participants identified the particular issues faced by women with children who find themselves at the intersection of the domestic violence, Family Law and child protection systems. Chapter 3 places the voices of women who have used the GVLDVS at the centre of the evaluation. They talk about the impact of the service on their and their children’s safety and well-being and on the ways in which the GVLDVS ‘walks with them’ on a journey away from violence. Some data from the interviews with GVLDVS staff is presented at the end of this chapter, to illustrate the consistency between the ways in which the staff approach service delivery and the ways in which this is experienced by women. Chapter 4 provides the perspectives of interagency partners about the role of the GVLDVS in direct service delivery to women and children, promoting collaborative partnerships and a wide range of awareness-raising and education activities. Chapter 5 provides data about the scope of the work of the GVLDVS in direct service delivery, community development, prevention, education and training, and partnership improvements. Read with the qualitative data in the preceding 2 chapters, this provides information on the variety and depth of the work of the GVLDVS team. Chapter 6 documents the efforts undertaken during the period of the evaluation to strengthen the partnership with Green Valley Police, which has been integral to the service since its pilot stage. In line with best practice directions, a coordinated case management response is being developed, aimed at identifying high risk cases and developing a coordinated approach to reducing identified risks. Chapter 7 brings together the key findings and discusses them against the current research literature about service provision to victim/survivors of domestic violence in the context of interagency collaboration and makes some recommendations for the future development of the GVLDVS. Details: Sydney: Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, 2012. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 27, 2012 at: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8683/2/GVLDVS_Evaluation_report_web.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8683/2/GVLDVS_Evaluation_report_web.pdf Shelf Number: 127009 Keywords: Abused WivesBattered WomenDomestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceVictims of Family ViolenceVictims Services |
Author: Braaf, Rochelle Title: Elephant in the Room: Responding to Alcohol Misuse and Domestic Violence Summary: International research shows a strong association between alcohol misuse and perpetration of domestic violence. In turn, victimisation has been shown to often lead to drinking problems. Many in the domestic violence sector have been reluctant to fully engage with this association due to concerns about misconstruing alcohol as a cause of partner abuse, thereby reducing perpetrator responsibility for their violence and failing to target its real causes. Among key theories about this association, one that best aligns with our knowledge of relationship violence proposes that where alcohol misuse co-occurs with attitudes and behaviours supportive of violence against women, abuse is more likely and is more likely to escalate. Responses to this issue are urgently needed and interventions targeting both alcohol misuse and attitudes and behaviours supportive of violence will be more effective than those aimed at single problems. Interventions need to be guided by goals of victim safety, provision of support and services, the prevention of abuse and making perpetrators accountable for their behaviour. Interventions fall into two broad camps: (i) community wide primary prevention mechanisms mainly targeting alcohol misuse and (ii) individualised tertiary prevention mechanisms targeting either or both alcohol misuse and domestic violence. Prevention mechanisms show good potential to reduce alcohol related domestic violence, although their effectiveness would be enhanced by companion efforts to challenge attitudes and behaviours that support violence towards women. Greater collaboration between alcohol and domestic violence sectors could substantially advance the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2012. 23p. Source: Issues Paper 24: Internet Resource: Accessed December 2, 2012 at http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_24.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_24.pdf Shelf Number: 127102 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseAlcohol Related Crime, DisorderDomestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence |
Author: Braaf, Rochelle Title: The Gender Debate in Domestic Violence: The Role of Data Summary: Key points • The gender debate is one of the enduring controversies in domestic violence research. On the one hand, feminist researchers have long identified ‘gender asymmetry’ in domestic violence, arguing that women are the primary targets of abuse and that men comprise the large majority of perpetrators. On the other hand, family conflict researchers typically find ‘gender symmetry’, arguing that women and men experience and perpetrate violence at similar rates. • Within the gender debate, two of the most contentious issues concern researchers’ definitions of domestic violence and their methods of data collection. • Feminist and family conflict researchers differ in how they conceptualise violence in relationships. Feminist researchers emphasise the wider dynamics of domestic violence: why it occurs, how it manifests and victim outcomes. Family conflict researchers define violence more narrowly, being primarily concerned with measuring incidents of violence between partners. • Feminist and family conflict researchers also differ in their data collection methods. Feminist researchers tend to favour qualitative approaches commonly used in clinical studies, as well as quantitative information collected via officially reported data and community sample surveys. Family conflict researchers tend to favour quantitative approaches, relying predominantly on acts-based surveys (such as the Conflict Tactics Scale). • These differences in turn influence feminist and family conflict researchers’ findings about men’s and women’s experiences and perpetration of violence. In particular, their findings conflict in relation to perpetrator motivation for violence, forms and levels of abuse, severity of abuse, repetition of violence and impacts on victims. • Certainly, all violence in intimate relationships is unacceptable. However, an accurate analysis of the relationship between gender and domestic violence is essential to develop effective prevention and responses. • No single type of data collection method provides a complete picture of domestic violence. Furthermore, individual studies or data sets vary considerably in depth and quality of information. Researchers and practitioners, therefore, need to be mindful of the strengths and weaknesses of a chosen approach when drawing conclusions and making recommendations. • From the real life examples presented in this paper and in many other studies canvassed, practitioners and advocates should have confidence in claims of gender asymmetry in domestic violence. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, The University of New South Wales, 2013. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Issues Paper 25: Accessed June 7, 2013 at: http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_25.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_25.pdf Shelf Number: 129003 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceGender-Based ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Breckenridge, Jan Title: Traversing the Maze of 'Evidence' and 'Best Practice' in Domestic and Family Violence Service Provision in Australia Summary: This paper considers how 'evidence' is constructed and translated into 'best practice'. It contends that the experience and understanding of practitioners within domestic and family violence (DFV) services constitute important contributing knowledge for the evidence-base. However, practice wisdom alone is not sufficient, since other forms of knowledge also play an important role in optimising outcomes. Ultimately this paper promotes the engagement of DFV practitioners in formal research and evaluation, not only to substantially inform the evidence but also to critically examine the effects of their interventions against all manner of valid evidence, in a recursive process of knowledge translation. It is suggested that a critical, reflexive engagement with formal evidence is ultimately the defining feature of 'best practice' in the continuous drive towards an effective response to violence against women. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2014. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Issues Paper 26: Accessed July 7, 2014 at: http://anrows.org.au/sites/default/files/page-attachments/IssuesPaper26-May2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://anrows.org.au/sites/default/files/page-attachments/IssuesPaper26-May2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132738 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Evidence-Based PracticesFamily ViolenceVictim ServicesVictims of Family ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Phillips, Janet Title: Domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia: an overview of the issues Summary: Executive summary - The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the levels of violence experienced by the world's women as 'a global public health problem of epidemic proportions, requiring urgent action'. - In Australia, domestic, family and sexual violence is found across all cultures, ages and socio-economic groups, but the majority of those who experience these forms of violence are women. However, it is not possible to measure the true extent of the problem as most incidents of domestic, family and sexual violence go unreported. - The information available on the prevalence of domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia is derived from surveys. The 2013 Australia-wide survey on personal safety conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that many men and women experience at least one encounter with violence in their lifetimes. The survey showed that men are far more likely to experience physical violence at the hands of a stranger but the majority of women experience physical violence by someone known to them-usually an intimate partner or family member. Both men and women are more likely to experience physical violence than sexual violence but women are much more likely to experience sexual assault in their lifetime than men. - The social and economic costs of violence against women are considerable. In 2009 the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (NCRVWC) estimated that violence against women and their children, including both domestic and non-domestic violence, cost the Australian economy $13.6 billion. - The Commonwealth Government is responsible for the over-arching government programs designed to reduce violence against women nationally. However, it is the state and territory governments that have the law enforcement responsibilities in relation to policing and prosecuting instances of domestic, family and sexual violence. - Reducing violence against women has been a priority for both Coalition and Labor governments for many years. The most recent Government initiative is the National Plan to reduce violence against women and their children (National Plan) endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2009. The National Plan set a framework for social change and proposed the introduction of sweeping changes between 2009 and 2021 to be implemented through a series of four three‐year action plans over 12 years. - The move towards better integrated, multi-agency responses and coordination across all levels of government through the National Plan has been received favourably by most stakeholders and is viewed as making significant progress in terms of reducing the levels of violence experienced by women in Australia. Details: Canberra: Parliamentary Library, 2014. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2014-15: Accessed October 16, 2014 at: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/3447585/upload_binary/3447585.pdf;fileType=application/pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/3447585/upload_binary/3447585.pdf;fileType=application/pdf Shelf Number: 133963 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: George, Amanda Title: Landscapes of Violence: Women Surviving Family Violence in Regional and Rural Victoria Summary: In 2013 the Centre for Rural Regional Law and Justice (CRRLJ) released a report detailing Women's Experiences of Surviving Family Violence and Accessing the Magistrates' Court in Geelong, Victoria. The research was informed by in-depth, qualitative interviews with survivors of family violence and workers who support survivors and their children, as well as court observations conducted at the Geelong, Heidelberg and Werribee magistrates' courts. The report (which is publicly available via the CRRLJ website) details the finding that while some women described positive experiences with police officers, magistrates and lawyers, the women respondents also found the court process to be intimidating and felt that there are limited opportunities to have their voices and concerns heard in court. Women spoke of the Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) process as confusing and cited frequent breaches of FVIOs - of varied natures and severities - which were identified by women, lawyers and workers as the principal reason for the continuing failure of FVIOs. Court support was identified as reducing the anxiety experienced by applicants, but the provision of support was described as ad hoc, and lacking a streamlined process to connect all survivors who access the court. Overwhelmingly, women emphasised their concern with the impact of violence on their children and expressed their distress that children are not always named on the FVIO. Court wait times, limited safe, separate waiting areas at court and the need for more funding to enable access to expeditious and affordable legal advocacy were also identified as key issues of concern. Given these findings, Jordan and Phillips advocate for 'a more consistent approach to survivors seeking safety and justice' and 'increased levels of specialist training for all justice system personnel working on family violence cases'. This report draws and extends upon the 2013 report, in regards to the geographic areas, issues covered, and range of participants. It examines the experiences of and outcomes for women survivors of family violence in regional and rural Victoria, considering their contact with and perceptions of government agencies (including Victoria Police, the Victorian magistrates' courts and the Department of Human Services [DHS]) as well as private and community advocates (legal actors and services, women's services and family violence services) and healthcare professionals. Through this research, survivors have identified issues and barriers they have encountered in escaping family violence, and have provided suggestions in regards to how both the criminal justice system and the broader Victorian community might assist survivors and help prevent family violence. As well as being informed by survivors, this research includes insights provided by government and non-government practitioners and organisations who have offered their views on this report's key findings and recommendations. In addition to the generous contributions of these participants, this report utilises relevant data and emerging research in an effort to identify best practice responses to family violence; improve access to justice, support and safety; and protect and promote women's rights and entitlements. Details: Melbourne: Deakin University, Centre for Rural and Regional Law and Justice, 2014. 217p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 13, 2014 at: http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/287040/Landscapes-of-Violence-online-pdf-version.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/287040/Landscapes-of-Violence-online-pdf-version.pdf Shelf Number: 134078 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Rural AreasVictim ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Queensland. Special Task Force on Family and Domestic Violence in Queensland Title: Not now, not ever: putting an end to domestic and family violence in Queensland Summary: In the 1970s we started to face up to the hidden shame and tragedy of domestic abuse. The first shelter for battered wives and children, 'Elsie', was established in Sydney by feminist Dr Anne Summers AO. Today there are more than 300 women's refuges around Australia and there have been many advances in the past 40 years in how we deal with domestic abuse, but the deeply disturbing fact is that this terrible scourge on our community is increasing in incidence and severity. In Queensland the number of reported incidents increased from 58,000 in 2011-12 to 66,000 in 2013-14. What this means is that there are about 180 reports to police of domestic violence incidents every day. During the past five months, my fellow Taskforce members and I have travelled the length and breadth of Queensland to hear stories of desperate abuse and violence so abhorrent that it hardly bears thinking about. But think about it we must. It is beholden upon all of us - every single citizen of this diverse, vibrant state - to take a stand against domestic and family violence; to commit to protecting the vulnerable; and to make it clear to those who would hurt another, within a relationship of intimacy and trust, that we will not tolerate, excuse, condone or accept their behaviour. This Report delves into the nature of domestic and family violence and documents some of the work of the deeply committed people who provide services to victims and perpetrators of abuse. The Report tells the stories of those who have suffered, and those who work to stop the violence. Most importantly it provides recommendations and insights gathered and developed by the Taskforce to provide to the Premier to set the vision and direction for a Queensland strategy to stop domestic and family violence. Details: Brisbane: Government of Queensland, 2015. 368p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2015 at: http://www.qld.gov.au/community/documents/getting-support-health-social-issue/dfv-report-vol-one.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.qld.gov.au/community/documents/getting-support-health-social-issue/dfv-report-vol-one.pdf Shelf Number: 135002 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family ViolenceVictims of ViolenceViolence Against Women |