Bligh Government to review Domestic and Family Violence Legislation

Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women
The Honourable Karen Struthers
10/03/2010
Bligh Government to review Domestic and Family Violence Legislation

Community Services Minister Karen Struthers and Police Minister Neil Roberts today released a consultation paper as part of a five-year strategy to help reduce domestic and family violence in Queensland.

The launch took place at Queensland Police Headquarters in Brisbane during the service's Domestic Violence Liaison Officer conference.

Minister Struthers said feedback on the consultation paper was part of a Bligh Government commitment to review current domestic violence legislation.

"A lot has changed with the way domestic violence is viewed but more action is still needed," Ms Struthers said.

"Domestic violence used to be viewed as a private matter but it is now it is finally coming out from behind closed doors.

"We need everyone to take responsibility and we need everyone to act."

Ms Struthers said there had been up to 60 domestic violence-related deaths in Queensland in the past five years.

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 35 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than non-Indigenous women," she said.

"We've got to turn those statistics around."

Minister Roberts said the consultation paper would focus on:

*prevention of domestic violence

*protection of victims

*civil and criminal laws

*planning and coordination of domestic violence services

*holding perpetrators responsible for their behaviour

"We want to hear from stakeholders and the community on what works and what doesn't in relation to domestic and family violence prevention measures," he said.

"Our Domestic Violence Liaison Officers see the effects domestic violence has on families all over Queensland first hand.

"That's why we're seeking their input to see what changes can be made to legislation to better protect victims and make sure perpetrators are held to account.

"We want to hear from as many people as we can on this."

Mr Roberts said the review would also consider work being undertaken by the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children and domestic violence laws in other Australian states and territories.

Minister Struthers said the Bligh Government was already acting on the plan of action set out in For our Sons and Daughters: A Queensland Government strategy to reduce domestic and family violence.

"We've set up a death review panel to examine domestic and family violence related deaths in Queensland between 2004 and 2009," she said.

"We're also part-way through a 20-month trial of a ground-breaking domestic violence program in Rockhampton.

"It's a first for Queensland. It's a genuine coming-together of government, the courts and the non-government sector."

Ms Struthers said a dedicated team from the Department of Communities, the Department of Justice and Attorney General, Police, Legal Aid and the local magistrate had been working together since last year to provide a coordinated approach to tackling domestic and family violence.

The consultation paper can be found at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au and submissions will be taken until May 31.

Permanent Link: Bligh Government to review Domestic and Family Violence Legislation
Publish Date: 11 Mar 10