Page 571 - Week 02 - Thursday, 24 March 2022
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Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (11.15): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
I am pleased to table the Domestic Violence Agencies Amendment Bill 2022. The bill introduces reforms to the Domestic Violence Prevention Council to ensure that the ACT’s response to domestic and family violence is guided and informed by the necessary expertise, experience and leadership developed through strong government and community sector collaboration. The ACT government is absolutely committed to developing and implementing effective, evidence based policies and programs that respond to domestic and family violence, enhance prevention and early responses, and support victims-survivors.
Since its establishment over 20 years ago, the Domestic Violence Prevention Council has been integral to these efforts. The council has spearheaded key initiatives to improve the ACT’s responses to domestic and family violence, including the council’s 2018 extraordinary meeting into issues and responses affecting children and young people living with violence. The work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reference group has also been vital as we co-design community-based, family-centred responses to domestic and family violence in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Most recently, the Domestic Violence Prevention Council has provided me with important advice on the complex issue of whether to take steps towards criminalisation of coercive control in the ACT. Members recognised that coercive control is inextricably linked with domestic and family violence and needs to be much better acknowledged across the system. However, members also noted that criminalising coercive control may create unintended harms for women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The DVPC have recommended that further consultation—particularly with vulnerable communities—and research is needed before a decision on criminalisation is be made. They have also recommended ongoing efforts to embed stronger understandings of coercive control throughout our community. This will continue to guide our responses to the pervasive and unacceptable issue of coercive control. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all past and current members of the Domestic Violence Prevention Council for their contribution to this vital work.
The reforms to the Domestic Violence Prevention Council in this bill will ensure it continues to guide and improve the ACT’s responses to domestic and family violence in an increasingly complex and challenging landscape. We know that an integrated approach to domestic and family violence is essential to deliver effective responses for victims-survivors, perpetrators, children and young people and families. Improving integration across the ACT’s responses to domestic and family violence has been a key focus across many government and community sector initiatives.
An effective leadership and governance structure for government and the community sector is a vital element of this integrated approach. As the key domestic and family violence governance body in the ACT, it is critical the Domestic Violence Prevention
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