Defining the Problem: Domestic and Family Violence

1. Current Legislation and Interventions

1.1. Three key systems - child protection, criminal justice and domestic violence services

1.2. Family law a separate but relevant system again

1.3. Multiple protections including - criminal law, protective orders, child protection orders, injury compensation, tenancy law

1.4. Many available services - but no unified response to domestic violence across Australia

2. Aggravating Factors

2.1. Alcohol associated with more severe acts of violence - men are more likely to be classified as hardous drinkers

2.2. Prior history of DV - 39-55% of offenders had history

2.3. Alcohol involved in one third of violent offences, most commonly reported as intimiate partner violence

3. Offenders

3.1. 83% male and 17% female

3.2. Most aged between 30 and 45

3.3. Physical violence - typically unemployed vs verbal/emotional abuse - typically employed and well educated

4. Types of Family and Domestic Violence

4.1. Physical

4.2. Sexual

4.3. Verbal Aggression

4.4. Intimidation

4.5. Unwanted sexual attention

4.6. Psychological/emotional

5. Indigenous Population

5.1. Indigenous people are 8 time more likely to commit a domestic assault

5.2. Over-representation of Indigenous women as victims

5.3. Indigenous men and women over-respresented as offenders

5.4. Higher likelihood of violent reoffending

6. Victims

6.1. Most commonly female

6.2. Effects children and other family members

6.3. 76% of women reported intimiate partner violence as their most recent for of violent victimisation

7. Recidivism

7.1. Drugs and alocohol increase likelihood of recidivism

7.2. 51% of offenders reoffend within 4 years

7.3. Men at greater risk of reoffending than women

7.4. Recidivism decreases with age

7.5. Unemployed perons more likely to reoffend

8. Also Named

8.1. Family violence

8.2. Intimate partner violence

8.3. Domestic violence