Submission To Landmark Inquiry Highlights Gaps In System
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson, today made public the Government’s submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
The submission highlights the gaps in a broken system and identifies key areas for investigation by the Royal Commission.
This includes weak legal consequences that fail to hold perpetrators to account, and draws attention to a justice system that victims feel is unsafe and difficult to access.
The submission also outlines a need for better information sharing and integration between services, as well as improved responses to family violence amid growing demand.
It identifies gender equality and negative attitudes towards women as a major contributor to family violence and stresses the need for better education about respect for women and equal opportunity.
The Government’s submission does not seek to provide all the answers or solutions to what are very complex problems.
We have provided the Royal Commission with opportunities for reform to consider in developing its recommendations.
The Commission, headed by the Hon. Marcia Neave, will report back to the Government in February 2016.
The Royal Commission recently concluded the last of 38 community consultation sessions, attended by more than 800 people.
Public hearings will begin in July and will include local stakeholders, experts and representatives from government departments.
The Labor Government will implement all of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“For too long society has turned its back to the terror that takes place in our homes.”
“The system is broken and our submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence calls for an overhaul.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson
“Our submission hasn’t shied away from identifying the weaknesses in our current system.”
“There are clear gaps that need addressing, including weak legal consequences that fail to hold perpetrators to account and services that can’t support everyone who needs them.”
Government Submission for Royal Commission into Family Violence