The Council held 30 consultative forums with stakeholders in capital cities in each state and territory, Bunbury and Albury-Wodonga through May and June 2008. A total of 440 stakeholders participated in these consultations.
As part of the consultation process forums were held with stakeholders in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, Bunbury and Albury Wodonga. Most participants were providers of services to victims, survivors and perpetrators of domestic and family violence or sexual assault; however, representatives of State and Territory government agencies, academics and people working in education and early childhood also attended.
Overall, 440 individuals participated in the 30 forums and made very valuable contributions to the development of the National Plan. Their time and commitment is greatly appreciated by the Council.
Libby Lloyd AM
Chair
National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children
Summary of Findings
- Whilst a wide range of services were considered to be effective there was very little strong supportive evidence of effect;
- Based on the observations of service providers, attendance in programs and some feedback from clients, some services were frequently nominated across the forums as being effective. These included: Stay at Home, integrated models, extended police powers to issue restraining orders; some men's behaviour change programs; and a range of culturally specific programs;
- Whilst there was a call for improved funding and resourcing across the sector, one of the key barriers to reducing the incidence of domestic and family violence and sexual assault was believed to be the lack of initiatives which focus on perpetrators of domestic and family violence and sexual assault; and
- There was felt to be a lack of strong leadership and no consistent national approach to addressing the issue.
When considering obstacles and solutions, participants' comments fell into seven key themes:
- Society/Social Marketing;
- Legal/Police;
- Education;
- Accommodation;
- Policy;
- Process; and
- Funding/Resources.
These themes were consistently presented across the forums throughout Australia and remained constant, whether discussing domestic, family violence or sexual assault. Similarly the themes were relevant whether focusing on victims, survivors or perpetrators of domestic and family violence and sexual assault.
Recommendations
Prevention through Australia wide social marketing efforts, law reform and an integrated whole of government approach.
Social marketing options included:
- Taking a long term, sustained, social marketing approach aimed at moving beyond increasing awareness and changing attitudes to influencing the behaviour of perpetrators of domestic and family violence and sexual assault;
- Communications outlining that there are negative consequences for abusive behavior and with reminders that it is everybody's responsibility to speak out if they see unacceptable behaviours occurring;
- Linking the issue to the Human Rights Model of Safety, emphasising that victims are not responsible and don't need to feel ashamed, that it is 'everyone's human right to feel safe';
- Holding a high profile national award for achievements in the reduction of domestic and family violence and sexual assault; and
- Developing a 'whole of society' education program, which looked at the issue across every stage of the life cycle.
Law reform options included:
- Reviewing laws to improve the safety of women and children including: the effectiveness of restraining orders; the interplay between Family Law and Child Protection; and ensuring State and Federal laws work together.
Whole of government integrated approach to domestic and family violence and sexual assault options included:
- Developing an integrated approach, articulating State and Commonwealth roles, and reducing the likelihood of clients slipping through the system; and
- Developing a co-sponsored or joint strategy between key Ministers including Health, Education, Women, Housing, Police and Justice.
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Reduced risk through early intervention programs for high risk segments
- Continue to fund school based programs that define healthy relationships but include a follow up to make sure the programs are being implemented effectively;
- Extend such programs beyond 'healthy relationships' to clearly highlight the potential negative consequences of abusive behavior; and
- Consider developing programmes for children not attending school. Participants praised school based programs but also recommended reaching children 'where they live', for example through the internet, text messaging, street magazines ('zines'), posters etc.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities - specific options included:
- Funding professional interpreters and increasing the use of existing interpreters to reduce the incidence of women needing to communicate through their children, or their partner (who could be the perpetrator);
- Continuing education that sexual violence within marriage is illegal; and
- Educating potential immigrants about domestic and family violence and sexual assault during the process of immigrating to Australia, so they are aware of what is acceptable in Australia before they arrive.
Indigenous - specific options included:
- Reviewing housing stock to reduce the incidence of overcrowding, which was seen to be a significant contributor to domestic and family violence and sexual assault; and.
- Developing a culturally appropriate framework for addressing domestic and family violence and sexual assault.
Rural and Remote - specific options included:
- Increasing the level of resources available in these areas, including housing stock.
Women with disabilities- specific options included:
- Ensuring they are represented at the policy level and in social marketing campaigns; and that care workers are adequately screened and trained to minimise the possibility of violence.
Older women - specific options included:
- Ensuring their voices are heard and that care workers are adequately screened and trained to minimise the possibility of violence; and
- Reviewing Power of Attorney laws to ensure they do not work against older women.
Institutionalised people - specific options included:
- Reviewing prison practices where it was suggested that 'legal sexual assault' can arise.
Awareness that support is available in times of crisis, whether fleeing the family home, staying put, or being removed
- Raise awareness about the support available as people need to know that there is support available, in particular that there is somewhere to go, and people who can help;
- Review the level of housing stock across Australia available for people escaping domestic and family violence and sexual assault. Similarly review the availability of housing for perpetrators, so they do not return to the family home prematurely;
- Ensure health, medical and social work professions are adequately educated about domestic and family violence and sexual assault through university and ongoing professional development programs; and
- Improve the quality and range of programs and increase the emphasis on programs for perpetrators of domestic and family violence and sexual assault.
Ongoing support
Participants stressed that domestic and family violence and sexual assault is a long term issue with long term effects, particularly those involving considerable trauma, and suggested the following options:
- Establish booster programs where perpetrators of domestic and family violence and sexual assault can gain access to help if required, even months after they have finished programs;
- Consider how to provide funding for long term accommodation, to prevent people leaving refuges and returning to the family home;
- Review the long term effectiveness of men's behaviour change programs;
- Consider providing more long term funding to existing 'effective' programs rather than new pilot programs; and
- Consider a National Workforce Strategy.