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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 5 Hansard (15 May) . . Page.. 1558 ..

MRS LITTLEWOOD (continuing):

The research has shown that criminal activity is probably only one of the consequences of traumatic childhood experiences. The most common traumatic events in early life that the women cited in this particular study suffered from related to intra-familial violence against them or others with whom they shared an intimate relationship. I suggest that these others are parents or guardians who have been victims of domestic violence. There appears to be a complex interaction between childhood trauma leading to post-traumatic symptoms and then a divergence into psychotic disorders, including depression and anxiety.

I propose that any consideration of the prevention and then the treatment of domestic violence has to largely consider the needs of children who unfortunately get caught up in a domestic violence situation. The research shows that children are so deeply affected that they carry the experience around with them for years until finally they crack and rebel, which is a trend that the statistics relating to prison populations clearly demonstrate. Initially, there needs to be an increased awareness that the children who are victims of or witnesses to domestic violence are a group in need. I believe the research demonstrates that they are a group in need of much greater psychiatric attention.

There are four main agencies involved in domestic violence cases in the ACT, namely, the AFP, the ACT Magistrates Court, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and the ACT Legal Aid Office. They all work closely together in these matters. It would be sensible and responsible to implement a follow-up procedure for children identified as being at risk by virtue of their involvement in domestic violence situations. These children could then be offered appropriate support and counselling. I would hope that this issue could be referred to the Domestic Violence Prevention Council for further consideration.

MS TUCKER (6.43): Mr Speaker, the Greens will be supporting these Bills. I think it is appropriate that we should be debating these Bills on the same day that we debate the firearms laws again in this Assembly. Violence in our society is a very serious issue. While all the public debate about gun laws and Port Arthur was overdue and very welcome, it is unfortunate that there is not such a high level of debate about domestic violence, and also about the more subtle but very important underlying causes of violence in our community and the complex consequences which Mrs Littlewood has just covered in regard to the effect on children.

I am very pleased to be supporting the four Bills we have before us today. The focus of three of the Bills is to expand the powers of the court in relation to seizing firearms, firearms licences and ammunition. Domestic violence is acknowledged as a serious problem in most communities, with very serious consequences for the victims. The ACT is no exception. The Community Law Reform Committee reports into domestic violence found that domestic violence is a serious problem in the ACT and also said that the majority of victims are women and children. Since 1986 we have had the Domestic Violence Act in the ACT, and, since 1988, we have had the Domestic Violence Crisis Service. These followed recommendations of the 1984 Australian Law Reform Commission report into domestic violence in the ACT.

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