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Canberra Today 27°/29° | Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Domestic violence reforms pass the Assembly

police

SIMON Corbell says new reforms that recognise the harm domestic, family and sexual violence can have on the community have been passed in the Legislative Assembly today.

“The legislation made substantial progress in strengthening responses to domestic and family violence,” Simon said.

The new legislation:

  • amends an ‘act endangering health’ to reflect that strangulation often has harmful effects on a person’s health but may not leave marks or render the victim unconscious;
  • allows police records of interview to be admitted as evidence in chief for family violence and all sexual offences;
  • expands protections for victims of domestic and family violence in criminal proceedings to allow special protections to apply to complainants in breaches of domestic violence orders and domestic violence damage to property offences; and
  • creates a special interim domestic violence order scheme to extend interim orders until the finalisation of related criminal charges.

“Domestic, family and sexual violence goes against the fundamental human right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

“These reforms highlight the harm caused by domestic and family violence, and will help reduce re-traumatisation for witnesses giving evidence in court.

“Domestic violence affects people regardless of their age, beliefs or social, cultural or economic situations and can have devastating consequences for our whole society.

“While gender-based violence, including domestic violence, cannot be eliminated through law reform alone, legal measures are an essential component of any response to domestic and family violence.”

The government’s reforms align with the Second Implementation Plan for the ACT’s Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children Strategy 2011-2017.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, including sexual assault you there are a number of programs that can support you:

  • the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, which aims to promote the safety of people subjected to domestic violence, provide crisis intervention and address the problem of violence and abuse in relationships – (02) 6280 0900 – dvcs.org.au.
  • Legal Aid (ACT Domestic Violence and Protection Order Unit), which provides advice on the process for applying for an order, assistance with submitting an application and representation in court – (02) 6243 3411 – legalaidact.org.au.
  • Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, which provides a crisis counselling line, Indigenous community support, counselling to victims and their families, and community education programs – (02) 6247 2525 – crcc.org.au.
  • Beryl Women Inc, which provides supported crisis accommodation to women with dependent children who are escaping domestic and family violence – (02) 6230 6900 –beryl.org.au.
  • Canberra Men’s Centre, which provides counselling, crisis support, outreach services, information and referral to men with complex needs, including family violence – (02) 6230 6999 – menscentre.org.au.
  • Victim Support ACT, which provides counselling, court support and advocacy services to victims of crime, including family violence – 1800 822 72 –victimsupport.act.gov.au.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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