Committee examines measures to better protect and support victim-survivors of family violence

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold a public hearing on Friday, October 11, to further inform its inquiry into family violence orders (FVOs).

Chair of the Committee, Susan Templeman MP, said, “The committee will seek evidence from the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Social Services about current measures and opportunities to better protect and support victim-survivors of family violence as they navigate the family law system.

“The risk of aggressive and violent behaviours of perpetrators of family violence towards partners and children escalates during and after relationship breakdown, including during family court proceedings. Areas for improvement that have been identified by the Attorney-General’s Department include inconsistencies in FVO frameworks across jurisdictions and addressing cultural barriers and biases in the police and justice systems about family violence, including awareness and recognition of coercive control," Ms Templeman said.

“The hearing will also provide the opportunity for the committee to examine the unique features and limitations of the Western Australian family law system, including the capacity of the Family Court of Western Australia to make enforceable family violence orders,” Ms Templeman said.

Public hearings details

Date: Friday, 11 October 2024
Time: 12:50pm to 3:00pm AEDT
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra and via videoconference

Appearing: Western Australian Government (12:50pm – 1:30pm); Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Social Services (1:30pm – 3pm).

The hearing will be live streamed on the APH website: www.aph.gov.au/live.

Further details about the inquiry, including published submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, are available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/familyviolenceorders.

 

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