Centre for Non-Violence united with the specialist response sector last month, expressing disappointment when a Senate committee tasked with examining domestic violence in Australia missed an opportunity to address how governments can best support, contribute to and drive the social, cultural and behavioural shifts required to eliminate violence against women and their children, as set out in the terms of reference.
The Senate referred an inquiry into domestic violence with particular regard to violence against women and their children to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee in February, following the deaths of Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke and her three children.
The committee was given six months to examine the issue, but delivered the report three months ahead of schedule — without any recommendations, and without input from the domestic and family violence sector.
CNV chief executive Margaret Augerinos said at the time, the report failed to address the terms of reference and was a missed opportunity to "really get to the heart of how we start to address the drivers of domestic violence and gender inequality".
She said the weekend’s announcement by Women's Minister Marise Payne and Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston of new terms of reference for a comprehensive inquiry was encouraging.
“This new inquiry is an opportunity to explore at systemic level the voices of women and children with lived experience,” she said.
“It is also an opportunity to genuinely listen to advocates, and how working to prevent family violence can be informed through that lens.
“Specialist women’s services and peaks across the country have very clear views about what and how change needs to happen, and we welcome any opportunity to share our experiences and knowledge.”
Ms Augerinos said the terms of reference proposed by the ministers offered the potential for a thorough examination.
“We see potential for this inquiry to draw on what we have learnt and the many successful models in place to prevent and respond to women and children who are victim/survivors of family and domestic abuse — and to offer sector-informed solutions to some of the system failings,” she said.
“We also encourage the government to continue to acknowledge the immediate needs in our sector, and for the Women’s Safety Council to focus on the urgent actions and longer-term reforms identified by Australian Women Against Violence Alliance in March.”
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