ACT Parliamentary Committee Holding Inquiry Into Policy Responses to Domestic and Family Violence
Thursday 6 July 2017 @ 11.14 a.m. | Crime
The ACT Parliament’s Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety is conducting an inquiry into the Government’s policy approaches and responses to domestic and family violence. The Committee is seeking written submissions on its terms of reference, and is expected to release a discussion paper with a further examination of the issues sometime later this month (July 2017).
Committee Chair Mrs Giulia Jones said in a media release:
“This inquiry is important—domestic and family violence causes physical and psychological harm, destroys families and erodes communities. Responding to such violence requires a variety of policy approaches and can include: primary prevention and community attitude campaigns; integrated intervention programs; mass-screening programs; programs for violence perpetrators; programs for victims who have been subject to domestic violence; legislative approaches; and criminal justice approaches. It is vital that the effectiveness of these approaches and associated government responses is examined.”
Inquiry Terms of Reference
The inquiry’s terms of reference are:
To inquire into and report, on:
(a) the adequacy and effectiveness of current policy approaches and responses in preventing and responding to domestic and family violence in the ACT;
(b) the implementation of the ACT Government’s 2016–17 funding commitments to prevent and respond to domestic and family violence in the ACT, in particular how outcomes are being measured;
(c) the issues and policy challenges (if any) for the ACT arising from the National funding and agenda/policy setting regime/framework—including how outcomes are measured and reported;
(d) best practice policy approaches and responses being undertaken in other jurisdictions to prevent and/or respond to domestic and family violence; and
any other related matters.
Examples of policy approaches that fall within the scope of the inquiry are:
- primary prevention and community attitude campaigns;
- integrated intervention programs;
- mass-screening programs;
- programs for violence perpetrators;
- programs for victims who have been subject to domestic violence;
- legislative approaches; and
- criminal justice approaches.
Inquiry Timeline
The self-referred inquiry started on 30 March 2017.
The Committee plans to release a discussion paper during July 2017.
Public submissions will be taken until Friday 22 September 2017.
TimeBase is an independent, privately owned Australian legal publisher specialising in the online delivery of accurate, comprehensive and innovative legislation research tools including LawOne and unique Point-in-Time Products. Nothing on this website should be construed as legal advice and does not substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel.
