The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the New South Wales Law Reform Commission (NSWLRC) released a report recommending legal reforms that would improve the safety of women and children who are victims of family violence. The report, “Family Violence – A National Legal Response”, was released on November 11, 2010. It examined both state and federal laws, and is the result of consultations with many agencies by the two Commissions over a period of a year.
The report highlights the need to create a consistent definition of family violence across state and territory courts, as well as the need for an integrated response to family violence that gives victims a seamless experience navigating the system. Other recommendations include providing education and training to police, lawyers, and judges, and establishing specialized family violence courts with judges that understand the nature of family violence. In addition, the report recommends developing a family violence bench book and setting up a national register of court orders. The report also examines sexual assault in the context of family violence.
To access the full report, please click here.
Compiled from: Improving safety the key aim of the ALRC/NSWLRC Family Violence Report, Australian Law Reform Commission, (11 November, 2010); WUNRN.