NEWS
Courts must carry burden of domestic violence, not victims
(The Northern Star, 19 March 2015)
FAMILY violence has finally come to attention as a systemic wrong in need of a national plan.
A federal Senate Inquiry is examining it in detail and Victoria has appointed a dedicated minister for its prevention and a Royal Commission.
The Queensland Special Taskforce has just handed down its comprehensive report, and a family violence prevention advocate, the incredible Rosie Batty, has been named Australian of the Year.
My team at RMIT's Centre for Innovative Justice released a report today that aims to broaden this conversation. Despite increased awareness, a significant gap exists in our collective response.
Yes, we need to support those who are subjected to family violence - mostly women and children - and this must remain our priority. But we must also intervene at the source of the problem.
Until we adjust the lens and bring those who use violence and coercion more clearly into view, victims will remain at risk and the cycle of this violence will simply roll on.