Family violence reform for survivors

VICTIM survivors of family violence in Victoria can now report crimes and seek justice more easily under a new systemic reform.

Six years after the Royal Commission into Family Violence, the State Government has implemented all 227 recommendations, including amending the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.

Specialist family violence courts and the nation’s first dedicated prevention agency, Respect Victoria, have been established to make the process for survivors seeking justice safer and more efficient.

The way the system responds to family violence has also been fundamentally changed with the rollout of the statewide Orange Door Network now complete.

Launched five years ago, the Orange Door Network has assisted more than 267,000 people including more than 107,000 children.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Ros Spence, said reform was long overdue.

“We are building a Victoria that is free from violence,” she said.

“Through this work, we’re shifting the dial on attitudes and behaviours that lead to violence and strengthening the nation-leading family violence system we’ve built.

“Victoria owes victim survivors a great debt for their generosity in sharing their stories and experiences so that we can continue to improve the way we prevent and respond to family violence.”

A spokesperson for the Victorian Government said it is building an inclusive family violence system that responds to the needs of all Victorians, including a community-led, self-determined response to end family violence against Aboriginal people through the Dhelk Dja Agreement.

– BY MIBENGE NSENDULUKA/ AAP