Family violence offenders could face tougher punishments in the courts if the Royal Commission believes it will reduce a problem that is the leading cause of death and disability for women under 45 in Victoria.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday released some of the terms of reference for the promised Royal Commission, which will focus on policy improvements to the current approach to family violence across all levels of government and society.
“We need a system that protects the vulnerable, punishes the guilty and saves lives. The Royal Commission will give us the answers we need and nothing will be off limits,” Mr Andrews said.
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson said this Royal Commission was about improving policy.
“This is a policy Royal Commission, it is not designed for lawyers at 10 paces to thrash out who’s to blame for the situation that we find ourselves,” Ms Richardson said.
“We need to find policy responses that will actually implement generation change.”
In 2013 there were 44 family violence related deaths in Victoria and the estimated cost to the state’s economy was $3.4 billion in 2009.
In 2013-14 there were more than 65,000 cases of family incidents reported to the Victoria police.
Broadly the terms of reference, which are still to be signed off on by the Governor, task the commission with finding the most effective ways to:
- Prevent family violence
- Improve early intervention
- Protect those at risk
- Support victims
- Make perpetrators more accountable
While the focus will be on a thorough examination of all strategies, policies and programs, Mr Andrews said survivors of family violence would be able to give evidence, although the commission is still working out how this will be done.
Mr Andrews said the government would implement all the recommendations.
The state government has already allocated $40 million to the commission.
A key role of the commission will be to work out a system to measure the success of changes made by the Royal Commission.
Work is set to begin next month with the commission expect to last 12 months. Mr Andrews said he hopes to be able to fund some responses in the 2016-17 budget.
The commission, to be chaired by Justice Marcia Neave, will be asked to make recommendations on the need to establish a culture of non-violence and equality and how to shape better attitudes towards women and children.
Domestic Violence Victoria chief executive Fiona McCormack welcomed the terms of reference, saying the “business as usual” approach of throwing money at the problem was not working.
“I’m really pleased it is solution-focused, and I’m really pleased to see how much it is engaging different parts of the community for solution particularly around monitoring men who are a risk to others,” Ms McCormack said.
The government hopes the royal commission’s work can be used across Australia.
Opposition spokeswoman on family violence Georgie Crozier said the Coalition had long supported and continues to support effective action to deal with family violence.
“Whilst the Royal Commission undertakes its significant work, which is expected to take at least 12 months, there is also a need to ensure action to protect families is not delayed,” she said.
She said Labor had already cut $19 million from family violence spending in 2015/16 alone.
