Summer Newsletter 55 by ADFV Clearinghouse

clearinghouse achievements 2000-2013

national overview profile: heather nancarrow Summer / 2014

.55

newsletter

inside 3

welcome

clearinghouse update

summary of Clearinghouse achievements

national round-up

14 profile: Heather Nancarrow 15 librarian’s picks

Subscriptions For a free subscription to the Clearinghouse e-news, please phone, fax or email us, or subscribe online at – www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/subscribe.html For more information contact the Clearinghouse at –

Email: clearinghouse@unsw.edu.au Ph: (02) 9385 2990 Fax: (02) 9385 2993 Twitter: @ADFVC_Info Publication Information The views expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse or the Australian ISSN Print: 1443-7236

Government. While all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this

ISSN Online: 1838-7101

publication, no liability is assumed for any errors or omissions. The Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse has been funded by the Australian

Government Department of Social Services. The Clearinghouse is a project of the Gendered Violence Research Network.

WELCOME Welcome to the final issue of the ADFVC newsletter. In this issue we reflect on 13 years of Australian domestic and family violence policy and practice since the

clearinghouse update

Clearinghouse was established in 2000. Our round-up of key reforms and developments on page 6 is provided by stakeholders from each state and territory. The breadth of the issues they cover demonstrates how much has been achieved in this time and provides insight into where we are now and could be headed in the future. Also in this issue Cris Scott from the ADFVC presents her ‘librarian’s pick’ of the most important and helpful research/resources added to our database since 2000. Cris has worked in the Clearinghouse to select, abstract and upload DFV resources for many years and is in a prime position to pull out key items to be remembered and used.

‘Working for change’: innovations and interventions for men who are violent towards women In Adelaide on the 8th November 2013 the Clearinghouse and the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA) hosted a national workshop for advanced practitioners and clinicians working in the men’s behaviour change and therapy field. The event showcased some of the new and innovative work in this field, provided space to open up conversations between practitioners across the country about new interventions, therapies

In page 14 we provide an

and approaches, and their own

introduction to Heather Nancarrow

work in this area. Leaders in the

as incoming Chief Executive of the

field from across Australia were

National Centre of Excellence to

invited to participate in a panel-led

Reduce Violence against Women

workshop for service providers, and a

and their Children. From February

special master class was run by Tom

onwards we expect to be sending

Powell, founder of the internationally

out more news from the NCE each

acclaimed Red Dust Healing. A

month, via our Twitter feed, e-news

written report from the workshop and

and website. Make sure you sign

video recording of the Q&A panel are

up to our email subscriber list to

available for viewing at this link:

stay in touch.

http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/

We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has sent us their

time of change. Remember that we are still here!! but in a smaller

The Clearinghouse will soon release,

form until the NCE announces

with ACSSA, a paper that considers

further developments. Check the

the state of primary prevention of

update section for more details of

violence against women in Australia.

what Clearinghouse services are

Primary prevention is identified as a

continuing.

cornerstone of the National Plan to

the work of the ADFVC during this

ADFVC team. www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au. Facebook.com/ADFVC @ADFVC_info

the effectiveness of such measures. Check our website for release date of this paper: http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

Book launch: Social work & domestic violence – developing critical & reflective practice Late last year the Clearinghouse hosted the launch of an important new book by Lesley Laing & Cathy Humphreys with Kate Cavanagh called Social work and domestic violence: developing critical & reflective practice (2013). “This book shows how social workers can intervene in everyday practice with victims, their families and perpetrators of domestic abuse”, said Jan Breckenridge of the Gendered

Violence Research Network at the launch. Topics covered in the book include: child protection, interprofessional collaboration, the policy and legal context, working with women and working with men.

Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, so it is timely to consider what primary prevention is, how a public health model came to be applied in the area of violence against women, measures that have shown

Website Don’t forget our website! You can view the latest news from the sector on our ‘What’s New?’ page, download Clearinghouse papers from the Publications and Submissions page, look for upcoming forums on the Conferences and Events page, and search our databases for research and good practice. www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

And Happy New Year! from the

there may be in terms of evaluating

other_publications.htm.

New paper on primary prevention of violence against women out soon

well wishes and acknowledged

promise thus far, and any issues

Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse 2000-2013: a review of key achievements BY KAREN WILCOX, CLEARINGHOUSE SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER During 13 years of operation, the ADFV Clearinghouse

The project gave rise to a forum, website, training and

has played a prominent role in connecting practitioners

resources. There has also been great international interest

across the states and territories with each other, as

in the ideas emerging from this project.

well as with resources, information, updates and new evidence. We have promoted good practice, new

Economic Costs of Violence

research, evidence-based implementation and cross-

In 2002, the Clearinghouse provided a seminal literature

sectoral and cross-disciplinary work to address the

review on the costs to the economy of domestic violence.

needs of victims of domestic and family violence. In addition, the Clearinghouse has led or informed key issues in the field, leading to policy, law or practice changes. These included:

Advocacy for Women’s Economic Security This important primary research project raised awareness of the need for economic advocacy on behalf of women who have left abusive relationships, extending understanding of their needs beyond the problems caused

Gender and Domestic Violence Papers in 2005, 2007 and 2013, and a forum in 2012, have informed debate about the gendered nature of domestic violence.

The Impact of Domestic Violence on Women’s Mental and Physical Health A 2003 paper raised the important issue of abused women’s ‘mental health’ presentations and misdiagnoses. In 2013, we published a newsletter article, and hosted

by relationship-induced debt.

a joint seminar with ACSSA examining newer, trauma-

Domestic Violence and the Impact on Children

domestic violence. In 2003 and in 2013 we published

informed approaches to understanding the impacts of papers which reviewed the impacts of domestic violence on women’s physical health.

The 2000 Clearinghouse paper which summarised the impacts of domestic violence on children is still widely cited. In 2008, we published a paper on mother-infant attachment, which has been influential in raising awareness of the ways in which perpetrators who undermine mothering are harming their infants. The issue was again addressed in 2011-2013, with a Clearinghouse forum and training presentations, a literature review, newsletter articles, and a webinar, bringing together more recent findings from the fields of developmental psychology and

In 2007 the Clearinghouse published an important paper on risk assessment in family law systems. In 2010, we commissioned a paper that explored conceptual connections between domestic violence and the concept of ‘coercive controlling violence’ within typologies of violence literature, and domestic violence. Later, we

neuroscience in an accessible format for our stakeholders.

provided content used in the cross disciplinary AVERT

Domestic Violence and the Workplace

that developed and presented regionally-based training on

The ADFV Clearinghouse commissioned a paper on workplace issues and later seeded the project, auspiced by the CGVR, which spearheaded changes to enterprise

newsletter .54

Improving Family Law System Responses To Domestic Violence

agreements across the country and led to protections for working women experiencing domestic violence.

package, and in 2011-2012 were involved in a partnership family violence and family law, based on AVERT resources. In 2012, a paper on typologies of violence was published. A special collection of literature on this topic was compiled and uploaded on the website.

Older Women and Domestic Violence

Victim’s Compensation

Two papers from the Clearinghouse highlighted the

The Clearinghouse provided the first national overview of

particular needs of older women experiencing domestic

Victim’s Compensation law.

and family violence, and the link between this and poverty and homelessness for this demographic.

Protection Orders

Women with Disability and Domestic Violence In 2009, the Clearinghouse organised and hosted the first

Clearinghouse paper and conference presentations

national conference on domestic violence and disability,

provided a structure for comparative assessment of

‘Diverse and Inclusive Practice’, bringing together the two

protection order law regimes across the state and

sectors to hear presentations from key speakers. This was

territories, and highlighted reforms with potential for

followed by a ‘special collection’ literature compilation,

positive impact on victim safety.

published on our website.

Risk Assessment The Clearinghouse has published key papers on risk

Indigenous responses to Family Violence

assessment in counselling, family law systems, with high

In 2006 we commissioned an analysis of the state of

risk offenders, and in relation to sexual violence.

good practice in Australia, the various types of programs

Staying Home Leaving Violence Research This small but trailblazing project examined the needs of

and responses to Indigenous family violence, particular challenges and key elements of success evidenced in various programs.

the perpetrator of violence. It gave rise to a NSW pilot

CALD Women and Domestic / Family Violence

exclusion order support program, also known as ‘Staying

In 2013 we commissioned a paper about the particular

Home, Leaving Violence’. Relatedly, the Clearinghouse has

issues facing women who are refugee and asylum seekers

consistently argued for the enhancement of exclusion or

in Australia and considering best practice responses to

ouster condition provisions in protection order law.

assist women with backgrounds of multiple trauma.

women who wanted to stay in their own homes, without

We would like to thank all of our commissioned writers, including those whose contributions are summarised above, for their support of our endeavours and their commitment to making a difference in the lives of women and children surviving domestic and family violence.

For a complete list of our publications, see http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/publications_index.htm, and http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/IssuesinGoodPractice.htm .

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

National Overview of Domestic and Family Violence initiatives: how far have we come in the past decade, and where to next?

When the Clearinghouse commenced over a decade ago

to investigate integrated or cross-agency responses and

workers responding to and attempting to reduce domestic

specialist violence courts, and there was considerable

and family violence were concerned with the impacts of

concern about the economic costs of domestic and family

domestic violence on children, the increased rates and

violence. Domestic violence workers and the community at

seriousness of victimisation experienced by Indigenous

large saw assisting women to leave an abusive relationship

women, access and equity to services and justice system

as a first line response.

responses, particularly for women from CaLD backgrounds

In 2014, some of these concerns remain, but there are

and Indigenous women, and for lesbian women.

other issues which have emerged as ‘hot topics’, and

Mandatory arrest strategies were a hot topic and criminal

new ways of thinking about and approaching domestic

justice system responses, including policing, dominated

and family violence. The Clearinghouse has played an

discussion, whether they involved crime prevention or

important role in encouraging discussion and development

enhanced protection orders. Some jurisdictions began

of many of these issues across the nation.

For this final edition of the Clearinghouse Newsletter, we have invited practitioners from each of the states and territories to provide a brief account of the issues they see as being crucial to work in the response and reduction of domestic and family violence, and Karen from the Clearinghouse provides a brief overview of national issues.

funding and development of domestic violence services

NATIONAL ISSUES BY KAREN WILCOX, SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER AT THE CLEARINGHOUSE

Family Law: Shared Parental Responsibility Amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 in 2011 addressed some concerns around the role of children’s safety considerations in decision making about custody and access (now termed parenting time). However, Australia’s unique shared parenting regime under family law continues to create difficulties for women who leave their abusive partners. The impact of family law on women’s choices and children’s safety remains an issue of concern.

Inequitable access to support and recovery assistance Regional and jurisdictional variations have created differences in the availability of support and recovery

newsletter .54

services for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. Given that the issue is of national significance, the unevenness of funding and availability of systems to support families is a growing concern. The inequities evidenced by the inconsistent prioritising of

is worse for women in remote and regional Australia, from CaLD and refugee communities and for Indigenous women and women with disabilities, and for children requiring trauma-informed responses.

Reframing Domestic and Family Violence as a public health issue Public Health discourse has now overtaken other ways of approaching domestic and family violence, such as political or justice discourses. This has given rise to increased funding to activities which mirror health promotion strategies (e.g. those for healthy eating, anti smoking), such as school programs and community education/social marketing. The rise of government support for organisations such as White Ribbon Foundation and the new Foundation for the Prevention of Violence reflects these public and community relations agendas.

Indigenous Family Violence Indigenous women and children remain at much greater risk of violence than non-Indigenous women and children. Community-led solutions which incorporate the views and leadership of strong women in communities are increasing in traction and gradually receiving wider community support.

Governments and communities remain committed to

Most important reforms / developments in the past decade

promoting programs for men, as a means of securing

In 2009, the NT Government introduced in section 124A

reductions in violence and abuse in intimate partner

of the Domestic & Family Violence Act, a mandatory

relationships. The need for evidence supporting efficacy

obligation on all adults including professionals to report

of public expenditure and criminal justice diversion to

domestic or family violence.1 This provision was somewhat

these programs is an issue for domestic violence service

controversial as to whether it would achieve its objective

providers.

of increasing DFV reporting and reduce instances of DFV,

Perpetrator Programs

Media, Social Media and community attitudes Media representations of domestic violence often minimise perpetrator accountability, in part due to the success of public relations activities of men’s rights activist lobby groups. Homicides are frequently reported without reference to prior DFV, and the murderers of wives and children are portrayed as depressed victims. Media representation has been identified as a key focus area for violence prevention efforts, with the Foundation for

rather than criminalise professionals assisting victims who do not report or delay in reporting. A recent review indicates that at this stage, mandatory reporting has had little impact on perpetrators taking responsibility for DFV or acting as a deterrent. There was also some evidence provided from service providers that targeted perpetrator programs ‘were best placed to inspire change, but that limitations on access to programs acted as a constraint’. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that this obligation may prevent some perpetrators from accessing services for fear of legal repercussions.

Prevention of Violence Against Women, VicHealth and

The definition of domestic and family violence to

other organizations targeting improvement through impact

incorporate economic abuse, damage to property and pets

research, guidelines to assist journalists and an award

has afforded victims greater access to justice (Domestic

program for excellence in reportage on this subject called

and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT)).

the EVAs (Eliminating Violence Against Women Media Awards).

Amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) in 2012 also broadened the definition of ‘family violence’ and abuse, and provided new directions for courts to increase

NORTHERN TERRITORY BY NICKI PETROU, TOP END WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE (TEWLS), WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE CENTRAL AUSTRALIA WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE (CAWLS), THE NORTH AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL FAMILY VIOLENCE LEGAL SERVICE (NAAFVLS), THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL SERVICE (DVLS) AND THE DARWIN ABORIGINAL & ISLANDER WOMEN’S SHELTER (DAIWS)-THE INDIGENOUS MEN’S SERVICE & INDIGENOUS WOMEN’S SERVICE. It would be an understatement to attempt to portray the significance and impact of domestic and family violence (DFV) in the Northern Territory. Its prevalence and severity relative to population size is particularly disturbing. When

prioritisation of children’s safety in child protection matters in relation to considerations of risk or experience of abuse. The establishment of the NT Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy (as one of the 5 Pillars of Justice) in line with COAG’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. In November 2013, the Northern Territory Government announced that it is developing a comprehensive domestic violence reduction strategy that will incorporate ten agencies across Government and apply a cross-agency approach to address the unacceptably high level of domestic violence in the Northern Territory. The introduction of a defendant’s DV duty service by the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in 2013, which assists defendants to better understand and engage in the legal process.

compared to other Australian jurisdictions the Territory is

Women’s and men’s programs such as the Strong Bala

also unique due to its large proportion of remote Aboriginal

Men’s Group in Katherine and the DAIWS Indigenous

communities and its vast landscape. The challenges and

Men’s Service and the Indigenous Women’s Service

solutions are complex. In a 3-month period alone in 2013

programs in Darwin.

(Oct-Dec) there were at least 4 domestic violence (DV) related homicides recorded. This gives cause for alarm place, and how effective it is in reducing or combating DFV.

Most important reform that needs to happen The instigation of a domestic violence death review process in the NT to undertake reviews aimed at better understanding and responding to incidences of DV by: In instances where there ‘has or is likely to cause serious harm’ and/or ‘the life or safety of another person is under serious or imminent threat because domestic violence has been, is being, or is about to be committed’

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

and to consider the current DFV prevention strategies in

identifying high risk DV situations that may result in death and implementing early intervention strategies.

QUEENSLAND

Incorporation of elder abuse into domestic and family

BY HEATHER NANCARROW, QLD CENTRE FOR DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE RESEARCH

violence legislation and policy, recognising further forms of family and lateral violence. Accreditation and oversight of family report writers in family relation to family violence and abuse, and as they relate to

Most important developments or reforms in the past decade

certain cultural groups and urban or remote settings. This

The following developments and reforms are in

would ensure a consistent and proper representation of the

chronological order, rather than order of significance. At

extent of harm caused by domestic violence.

the risk of appearing biased, the establishment of the

law matters, to ensure they gain the necessary expertise in

Particular area in need of progress The correlation between domestic/family violence and the child protection system – how these two areas interact and how to better coordinate multi-agency responses. Specific issues faced by women living in remote or rural NT– and who may be otherwise isolated or precluded from accessing services. This should involve innovative service provision, with potentially different engagement and/or responses to domestic and family violence such as through the use of technology (eg Skype) to better support women in safely accessing legal services and community legal education (CLE). Better application of section 21 of the Domestic & Family Violence Act, which provides for and clearly envisages as a key objective in the process to ‘ensure the defendant

accepts responsibility for the violence committed against the protected person’ and ‘to encourage the defendant to change his or her behaviour ‘. This could be through directing defendants to participate in relevant behavioural programs, however there is reluctance from some legal services to impose an order directing a defendant to participate in such programs, because failure to attend could potentially be deemed a breach of a Domestic Violence Order, and result in a strict custodial sentence under the current legislation. Alternately, NGOs funded to provide DFV programs could be present at court on the day DVO applications are listed (perhaps on a duty roster basis) to enable link up with defendants interested in attending these programs. Another option could be that

www.noviolence.com.au) at CQ University in Mackay, Central Queensland has resulted in a number of significant contributions. These include the annual Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum, commenced in 2004; the accredited Course in Responding to Domestic and Family Violence (30949QLD), which constitutes three units of competency and sets a benchmark for skills required to effectively work in this area; and the research seminars which result in online videos and ‘in conversation’ resources for ongoing professional development. The Domestic Violence Death Review Unit, which aims to prevent domestic violence related homicides by identifying aspects of services and system responses requiring enhancement or reform, was established in the Office of the State Coroner in 2010. Perhaps the most significant development in the past decade is the Queensland Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children via a series of four, three year action plans. The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (QLD) reflects the National Plan’s intent and specifically aims to overcome the problems associated with ‘cross-applications’ and ‘cross-orders’. It provides a preamble and a set of principles to guide the implementation of the legislation, which locate DFV in the context of human rights and international instruments aimed at protecting those rights. The principles also require police and courts to identify the person most in need of protection when faced with competing claims

police refer parties to these programs directly.

about who is the victim and who is the perpetrator.

Further support for victims of domestic violence and their

An emerging development is the transformation of

children, through culturally appropriate and safe programs, which aim to also break the potential effect of lateral and intergenerational violence, and promote the concept of a

child protection practice so that fathers who perpetrate domestic violence are held accountable for the violence and its effects on children, rather than mother/victims (see

‘healthy relationship’.

CDFVRe@der Vol 12, No.1 December 2013).

Greater mediation of family and community disputes to

The most important reform that needs to happen

ensure earlier resolution and to prevent escalation into violence. Regulation of online abuse and cyber bullying via social media.

newsletter .54

state-wide Centre for Domestic and Family Violence (see

The most challenging but critical area of needed reform relates to the ongoing high levels of domestic, family and sexual violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Recognition of and responses to the intersections of ‘race’ and gender inequality in the experiences of Indigenous women and men as victims

and perpetrators of DFV must be embedded in policy

An example of the harnessing new technologies to prevent

and practice. Violence can never be justified; however,

and respond to domestic violence is the Women NSW

the social and material circumstances in which violence

Aurora domestic and family violence app for people

against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and

experiencing domestic and family violence or for those

children occurs are significant contributors and must also

worried that a friend or family member is experiencing

be addressed.

domestic and family violence. As identified by the DVDRT,

A particular area in need of progress Sub-populations requiring specific and urgent attention to their particular circumstances, including immigrant and refugee women, particularly those with no income, is a

family and friends are often aware of domestic violence but unsure about how to help. This app provides support and information to this key source of support for women living with domestic violence.

vulnerable to ongoing and escalating abuse. These

The most important reform that needs to happen

particular issues and DFV- specific training in general must

Over the past decade, NSW has struggled to develop a

be embedded in tertiary education programmes such as

coherent, integrated policy approach to domestic and

social work, psychology, nursing and medicine.

family violence. The current program of Domestic Violence

severely neglected area, leaving those women especially

Reforms, in the early stages of implementation, involves: a shared definition of domestic and family violence;

NEW SOUTH WALES BY LESLEY LAING, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Most important developments or reforms in the past decade

minimum practice standards; a risk identification tool; central referral points; safety action meetings for high-risk cases; and primary prevention activities , in parallel with the Domestic Violence Justice Strategy which aims to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent re-offending.

Following a decade of activism by domestic violence

A particular area in need of progress

advocates, NSW established a Domestic Violence Deaths

Considerable work remains to be done to bridge the

Review Team (DVDRT) in 2011. Teams such as these represent a new approach to identifying systemic problems and policy gaps in responding domestic violence. The NSW team has a legislative base and has the capacity to review the suicides of victims of domestic violence and ‘accidental’ deaths where there is a history of domestic violence, in addition to homicides. Increased advocacy and support for women seeking

jurisdictional ‘gap’, between state and federal responses to domestic and family violence with respect to protection orders and Family Law proceedings and protections for women with insecure immigration status. A continuing challenge is to bring together the domestic violence and

child protection sectors so that our responses better recognise and respond to the interconnections between women abuse and child abuse.

legal protection is now available through the expansion of the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service to cover 108 Local Courts, including more specialist workers to assist Aboriginal women and women who are nonEnglish speaking. The associated Domestic Violence Practitioner Scheme provides free, independent legal advice on ADVOS, family law, care and protection and

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY BY MIRJANA WILSON, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICE

regional Local Courts. In the Family Court, the Women’s

Most important developments or reforms in the past decade

Family Law Support Service, an initiative of the women’s

Established in 1998, the ACT’s Family Violence Intervention

refuge movement (now Domestic Violence NSW), provides

Program (FVIP) is a coordinated interagency response to

essential support to women dealing with parenting issues

family violence incidents that come to the attention of the

in the context of domestic violence.

police and proceed to prosecution. FVIP partner agencies

The injustice of women and children becoming homeless

are: Australian Federal Police (ACT Policing), Office of the

victim’s compensation matters in 32 metropolitan and

in order to escape domestic violence has been responded to through the Staying Home, Leaving Violence program, within the multi-agency context to facilitate their ability to remain in their homes where they wish to and it is safe to do so. In a similar vein, the Start Safely program aims to prevent homelessness by the provision of a subsidy which provides short to medium term financial help to women so that they can secure private rental accommodation.

Court, ACT Corrective Services (ACTCS), Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS), Office for Children, Youth and Family Support (OCYFS), Policy and Regulatory Division, Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JaCS), and the Office of the Victims of Crime Commissioner (VoCC).

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

a state-wide network of advocates who work with women

Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), ACT Magistrate’s

The FVIP’s focus is on improving the criminal justice system response to family violence. A 2009 review commissioned from the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) by the ACT VoCC reported that the FVIP is effective in establishing relationships between agencies and ensuring they work cooperatively; that the breadth of services provided by FVIP agencies contributes to perceived safety and protection of victims of family violence; that the majority of incidents are being attended by police, proceeding to charges and then processed efficiently

A particular area in need of progress Women with disabilities who experience domestic/family violence - the conversation between the disability and violence sectors is only really just beginning. What we know is that women with disabilities experience very high levels of domestic and family violence, and also sexual assault. We need to work collaboratively to ensure that this vulnerable group receive the appropriate response, get access to information, services and justice.

by the court, contributing to victim safety and offender accountability; and that throughout its 10 year operation FVIP agencies have implemented a range of practices to

VICTORIA

improve the criminal justice response to family violence.

BY CATHY HUMPHREYS AND KRISTIN DIEMER, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

The Children and Young People Act 2008 made provisions for the care and protection of children and young people suffering abuse and/or neglect and imposed standards for the secure care and/or management of young offenders. Under s342 of this Act, abuse of a child has been explicitly expanded to include exposure to domestic violence. In 2009 DVCS and ACT Policing introduced the Family

Four key developments

Violence Incident Review (FVIR). The FVIR consists of

The backbone to the Victorian FV reform lies in key

weekly meetings between ACT Policing’s Intervention

legislative reforms which include: strengthening and

Team Sergeant and the DVCS Client Service Coordinator,

broadening Intervention Orders (IO); providing police with

where all family violence incidents attended by ACT

‘holding powers’ which allow them to detain the perpetrator

Policing for the previous seven days are reviewed. Quality

to increase victim safety; and Family Violence Safety

assurance, promotion of early identification, intervention

Notices which give police the power to provide safety to

and prevention in situations and building an intelligence

victims for 72 hours or until the next court session.

picture, where possible of family violence trends in the ACT

The Police Code of Practice on the Investigation of Family

are some of the aims.

Violence (2004, revised 2010) provides clear guidance

In 2009, the Domestic Violence and Protection Orders Act

for police and supports cultural change in policing family

2008 came into effect. Under these new provisions, the

violence in Victoria. Leadership by police commissioners

definition of a relevant person was expanded to include

has been outstanding across the life of the reform process.

those in intimate relationships between two people other

Cross-sectorial training on a Common Risk Assessment

than a domestic relationship even if they were not or had not been members of the same household. Boyfriend/ girlfriend and non-cohabitating same-sex partners who engaged in family violence are therefore provided with the same level of response from the police and the courts as other intimate partners.

Framework (CRAF) has been foundational for multi-agency working and a clear basis for the Regional FV Committees which have been established across the state. These committees each have a Regional Integration Co-ordinator (RIC) to facilitate the development of local responses to family violence.

The most important reform that needs to happen

Service intervention has been funded for both specialist

It is crucial that the ACT remain committed to keeping

programs tied to specialist FV courts; other programs

domestic and family violence ‘on the agenda’. It is hoped

provide places for both ‘voluntary’ and men who attend

that this can be achieved through the ACT’s Prevention of

because of conditions on their Intervention Order.

Violence Against Women and Children Strategy 2011-2017. The FVIP focuses on the interaction of victims of violence with justice systems and services, and provide responses after violence has occurred. The ACT Strategy, however, encompasses a broader response to violence against women and children, including a focus on prevention and early intervention and provision of support to those who do

newsletter .54

Victoria has engaged in a major family violence reform initiative over the past decade.

not engage with the criminal justice system.

women’s services and Men’s Behaviour Change (MBC) programs. Two MBC programs operate as mandated

More information about the Victoria’s Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women and Children 2012-2015 is available here: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0009/736056/preventing_violence_ against_women_and_children_action_plan_102012.pdf

The most important future reform Strengthening the accountability measures for men who use violence is a key area for future reform to build on steps that have already been taken. A range of measures could be included:

system known as Safe at Home and more recently the introduction of family violence workplace arrangements for Tasmanian State Sector employees that enable them to access their leave entitlements in order to manage their recovery from family violence. The Family Violence Act 2004 recognises family violence



Providing women with informed legal representation at



Building a stronger link between enforcement of

response to family violence delivered in partnership

Intervention orders and family law matters;

by the Departments of Justice, Police and Emergency



Strengthening the support around women and

Management and Health and Human Services. A range

magistrates and family law courts;

children and ensuring breaches of IO have serious consequences so that Safe at Home becomes a reality



as a crime and children exposed to family violence as victims in their own right. Safe at Home is a criminal justice

of services are funded under Safe at Home to provide an integrated range of assistance to adult and child victims

for more women and their children

and family violence perpetrators.

Ensuring that Women’s Support Programs (often

Most important reform that needs to happen

referred to as Partner Contact) are recognised as an essential part of a men’s behaviour change program which strengthens accountability as well as support.



Long-term evaluation and monitoring of MBC programs



Developing the technology, practice and reporting

including program accreditation standards which tracks the court process of men who are charged at a family violence incident. We can’t change what we don’t measure!

Increased intervention programs and services for family violence perpetrators, particularly those being managed within the civil justice system, and children living with ongoing exposure to family violence.

A particular area in need of progress Primary and secondary prevention activities to support Safe at Home, which is a tertiary response system. Whilst a

An area in need of attention

primary prevention strategy has been developed to reduce

An area which requires much greater attention lies in

unsuccessful in last year’s budget bids.

violence against women and children in Tasmania it was

resourcing the service pathway for children living with family violence. Post -crisis intervention in the area of group work, strengthening the mother-child relationship and/or individual counselling needs to move beyond creative pilots and demonstration projects to programs which attract continuous funding. The current response to children funnels too many referrals to child protection.

SOUTH AUSTRLIA BY MEGAN HUGHES, SOUTHERN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE

Many of these cases don’t meet the threshold for further

Key developments and reforms

statutory intervention, however mechanisms should be

Structural development within the sector has seen a

strengthened to ensure community based support and

significant move over the last decade to move from a

intervention is provided.

congregate model of service (one where women and

As with any reform process, sustaining resources and

children share facilities in a house together) to a cluster

the continuity of the reform process through changes in government is an on-going challenge, but one where drawing on the enthusiasm and commitment of people in government and non-government has been crucial.

model (individual properties clustered around the head office) across the state. South Australian DV services lobbied and worked with Government to ensure that women and their children are given adequate space and resources to reconsider their futures without the pressures associated with adapting to living with strangers for

TASMANIA

significant amounts of time. This change has meant more

BY ROBYN YAXLEY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

environment and their individual needs can be addressed.

Most important developments or reforms in the past decade

accreditation processes. Since 2010, all domestic and

The three most significant reforms to have taken place in

to homeless people, which has included domestic

Tasmania in the area of family violence in the past decade

and family violence services. This has led to greater

are the introduction of the Family Violence Act 2004 and

accountability of services to the people that they serve

The professionalization of the sector through formal family violence services have to go through a quality assurance process to receive funding to provide services

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

accompanying integrated whole of government service

women and their families can stay within a supportive

and provides for a high standard of support which is being offered throughout the sector, with greater consistency.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

There has been an increase in recognition of the impact

BY ANGELA HARTWIG, WOMEN’S COUNCIL FOR DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES

of DFV on children and their development. It is possible to map the changes that have occurred to the support of children in our services over the last decade. Only in the statistics to our funders, and only recently has our work

Most important developments or reforms in the past decade

with children been recognised as central to the work that

As the non-government peak body for Domestic and

last few years have children been counted in our official

DFV services do. All services in SA now provide case management support to every child that comes into our services and it is part of our service agreements with KPI’s attached. Good practice in working with children is showcased and resourced. Whole of Government responses to Domestic and Family Violence: SA has witnessed a significant shift in the last 4 -5 years of the State response to women and children experiencing violence. All of these significant and important changes have occurred due to lobbying by the sector and the ability of the DV sector to work with Government in partnership to bring these developments about. Changes in legislation and State responses to the safety of

Family Violence (DFV) services in Western Australia, the Women’s Council established in 1977, has been a catalyst, advocating for change in the way victims, primarily women and children are responded to, as a result of having to flee their homes to escape a violent partner. In Western Australia, the ‘Break the Silence’ report (1986) squarely placed DFV on the State Government’s policy agenda. The report called for swift and immediate action in the area of legal reform and greater levels of support to women and children and victims of DFV.Whilst the provision of essential services such as Women’s Refuges and DFV Outreach Services has been vital, the need to bring about reform at a systemic level has been the greatest challenge.

women and children have increased the powers of police to remove violence men from the home and provided mandated responses for men who have an intervention order. This also includes support for their partners or expartners to ensure their safety throughout this process.

The Family Safety Framework established across all regions requires Government and non-Government agencies to respond immediately when women are at imminent risk of death or serious injury due to domestic and family violence. A senior policy position in the Coroner’s Office was appointed, with the role of reviewing DFV-related deaths and making recommendations for changes to prevent further deaths.

Major challenges going forward The major challenge we currently face as a sector is ensuring that there is adequate funding of services into the future to continue to improve and enhance the response to women and children and to build upon the advances that have been made in the last decade. Within this, we also need to value, in tangible ways, the skills and knowledge that the DFV sector has brought to the improvements and innovation which we have seen in the State. The innovation in this sector, in the main, has come from the advocacy and lobbying of the sector itself and would not have happened without it. This knowledge and skill base will be compromised if the smaller specialised services are incorporated to the big Not-for Profits and we lose the

newsletter .54

leadership that has been relied upon in the women-led services.

Friday 22 November, 2013. Annual Silent March through Perth CBD. Credit: “The Scene Team”

Victim Support Refuge Services provide the basic safety net for women and the commitment by government to provide additional funding for DFV Outreach Services, Children’s Counselling Services and Safe at Home initiatives have provided

a greater range of options to assist victims, as well as providing longer term support to women and children who may be at imminent risk of becoming homeless as a result of DFV .

Perpetrator Response The ‘Breathing Space’ model was also developed and implemented in WA in 2003 and offers men who are perpetrators of DFV to bring about positive changes in their lives. They offer a three month accommodation and support service with both individual and group programs in a therapeutic setting. Partner contact with the victim is a condition of participation as it is viewed as an integral part of ensuring partner safety is not being compromised and provides a means for evaluating the efficacy of the program.

A More Coordinated and Integrated Response There is now a more coordinated and integrated response to victims of domestic and family violence, in particular, with the formation of Domestic Violence Regional Committees in the mid 1990’s; the Police Family Violence Protection Unit and the establishment of the Senior Officer’s Group responsible for overseeing the across government response to domestic and family violence. Policies, MOUs and Local Protocols have also assisted in

Annual Silent March through Perth CBD. There had been 21 deaths in WA since the last march. Credit: “The Scene Team”

strengthening agency responses with high risk cases of

The most important reform that needs to happen

DFV. Violence Restraining Order (VRO) legislation was

Sadly, many victims continue to lose their lives and it is

recent times with information sharing with victim consent,

reformed in 2004, providing police with powers to enforce Police Orders for up to 72 hours without consent from the victim; expansion of the definition of DFV to include psychological and emotional abuse; and harsher penalties for breaches of VROs.

A Greater Level of Community Education and Awareness Mass media campaigns such as the ‘Freedom From Fear’ (FFF) provided a greater level of awareness about the impact of DFV on women and children. FFF had a strong focus on men voluntarily seeking help for their violent behaviour, with TV, radio and newspapers used to promote it. The Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March

vital that we examine the types of social responses victims receive from the authorities such as Police, Child Protection and the Courts. Andrea Pickett’s (12 January 2009) and Saori Jones’ (22 December 2010) violent deaths at the hands of their ex-partners continue to stand as a stark reminder that much more can be done. Such was the community outrage at their deaths that a national television current affairs program came to Perth to report on system failures. The report, ‘A Matter of Life and Death,’ became a finalist in the Human Rights Media Awards 2012 and won an Eliminating Violence Award (EVA) in 2013. See the following link to view the program: http://www.abc.net.au/ 4corners/stories/2012/07/26/3554420.htm

held its 23rd rally and silent march this year and is an

A particular area in need of progress

integral part of the WA calendar of events aimed at paying

The current Review of the Domestic Violence Laws 2013-

respect and honour to all those who have lost their lives as a result of domestic homicide each year.

14 provides the opportunity to revisit policy and practice response around safety for victims and a greater level of monitoring and accountability of perpetrators to be put in

to raise awareness, increase skills and knowledge has

place. It allows for innovative models operating in other

been implemented with a number of WA High Schools,

jurisdictions to be trialled and for the DFV service system

with a primary focus on identifying healthy and unhealthy

to explore more effective ways to reduce the impact of DFV

relationships; building respectful relationships and

for women and children and stronger intervention to restrict

protective behaviours. Students have also been provided

perpetrator’s ability to continue their use of violence.

with the opportunity to become peer educators and take on

The Discussion Paper is available on the Law Reform

a leadership role within the school being available for other

Commission website – http://www.lrc.justice.wa.gov.au/P/

peers for information and support to relevant agencies.

project_104.aspx?uid=8914-2176-0890-7360

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

Ongoing community education working with students

profile HEATHER NANCARROW INARA WALDEN, SENIOR RESEARCHER, AUSTRALIAN DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE CLEARINGHOUSE During the 1980s Heather worked in various roles in women’s shelters and then as Co-ordinator of Community Education at the Queensland-wide Domestic Violence Resource Centre, During this time she was a member of a group of activists who successfully lobbied for the establishment of Chisholm Women’s Shelter (1984), the Migrant Women’s Emergency Support Service (1986), the Domestic Violence Resource Centre (1987) and the Queensland Domestic Violence Taskforce (1987). After 10 years of community work, Heather moved to the Women’s Policy Unit, Office of Cabinet where she worked on the development and implementation of the Queensland Government Policy: Stop Violence against Women, launched in August 1992. Heather’s 11 years of work in the Queensland Government included management of the Domestic Violence Policy Unit, with responsibility for policy, administration of the state’s domestic violence legislation, community education, programme development and grants administration.

Heather Nancarrow has been appointed CEO of the National Centre of Excellence to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (NCE), based in Sydney and will commence this new role in March 2014. Here we profile her outstanding record of achievement in the area of prevention of violence against women over the past 3 decades.

Over the years, Heather has held many leadership roles at both the state and national level in regard to policy to prevent violence against women. In 2008-2009, Heather was Deputy Chair of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (NCRVWC), which produced Time for Action, the blue-print for the Council of Australian Governments’ National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 20102022. She has also chaired the Queensland Government’s

Heather Nancarrow has 30 years’ experience working on the prevention of violence against women, including direct service provision, policy and legislation, and research

violence and represented the Queensland Government on national bodies such as Partnerships against Domestic

and professional development. She was the foundation

Violence (PADV).

director of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family

Heather’s work has been recognised by several awards

Violence Research (QCDFVR) and has continued in this

including the Queenslander of the Year Community Spirit

role from 2003 until her move to the NCE.

Award in 2009; Honours in recognition of outstanding

During Heather’s time with the QCDFVR she was

leadership of the NCRVWC and advancing strategic

responsible for a number of significant achievements: the establishment of the Indigenous Family Violence Prevention

newsletter .54

ministerial advisory council on domestic and family

implementation of the National Plan, awarded by Victim Support Australia in 2012, and in 2010 she was named a

Forum, held annually since May 2004, convened in

Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.

partnership with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Heather has a Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal

Reference Group; a partnership with community-based

Justice with First Class Honours and is nearing completion

service providers for the regular collection of non-

of a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Her primary

identifying client data to support programme development;

research interests are justice responses to violence against

and a range of strategies to link research, policy and

women, particularly as they relate to Aboriginal and Torres

practice.

Strait Islander people.

librarian’s picks Over the life of the Clearinghouse, research in the field of domestic and family violence has grown enormously. To keep up with this expansion, the ADFVC created new subject headings for its Research & Resources database and endeavoured to keep up to date with research output in these

ECONOMIC ABUSE Economic abuse: searching for solutions, Tanya Corrie & Magdalena McGuire, 2013. Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service and Kildonan UnitingCare, North Collingwood, VIC.

evolving areas. Below is our librarian Cristina Scott’s reading

GENDER SYMMETRY

list containing just one resource for each important topic

The gender debate in domestic violence: the role of data,

area which we would recommend to service providers new to

Rochelle Braaf & Isobelle Barrett Meyering, 2013. Australian

the field as well as to anyone wishing to obtain an overview

Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse issues paper,

of unfamiliar territory. Each resource contains an extensive

No. 25.

reference list to provide more in-depth reading for those who want to delve deeper.

HEALTH/MENTAL HEALTH Promoting women’s mental health: the challenges of intimate/

ADOLESCENT VIOLENCE TOWARDS PARENTS Adolescent violence in the home: the missing link in family violence prevention and response, Jo Howard, 2011. Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse stakeholder paper No.11

domestic violence against women, Angela Taft, 2003. Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse issues paper, No. 8.

HOUSING Home and safe? Policy and practice innovations to prevent

ALCOHOL Elephant in the room : responding to alcohol misuse and domestic violence, Rochelle Braaf, 2012. Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse issues paper No. 24.

ANIMAL ABUSE ‘The relationship between domestic violence and animal abuse: an Australian study’, Anne M. Volant, Judy A. Johnson, Eleonora Gullone, and Grahame J. Coleman, 2008. Journal of interpersonal violence, Vol. 23, No. 9, pp. 1277-1295.

women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence from becoming homeless, Angela Spinney, 2012. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE Children, young people and domestic violence, Lesley Laing, 2000. Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse issues paper, No. 2.

INDIGENOUS ISSUES ‘Restorative justice for domestic and family violence: hopes

CHILD PROTECTION Domestic violence and child protection: challenging directions for practice, Cathy Humphreys, 2007. Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse issues paper, No. 13.

CALD Improving responses to refugees with backgrounds of

and fears of indigenous and non-indigenous Australian women’, Heather Nancarrow, 2010. In Restorative justice and violence against.

LGBTI Domestic violence in gay and lesbian relationships, Carrie Chan, 2005. Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse topic paper.

multiple trauma : pointers for practitioners in domestic and family violence, sexual assault and settlement services, Lana Zannettino, Eileen Pittaway, Rebecca Eckert, Linda Bartolomei, Beata Ostapiej-Piatkowski, Annabelle Allimant and Jill Parris, 2013. Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse practice monograph No.1.

DISABILITY 2003. Violence Against Women with Disabilities Project

Preventing the abuse of older people by their family members, Dale Bagshaw, Sarah Wendt and Lana Zannettino, 2009. Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse.

POLICY Domestic violence: Australian public policy, Suellen Murray & Anastasia Powell, 2011. Australian Scholarly Publishing, North Melbourne.

www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au

Triple disadvantage: out of sight, out of mind, Chris Jennings,

OLDER PEOPLE

latest clearinghouse publications

See all Clearinghouse publications at: www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/publications.html