Page 939 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 30 March 1993
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In addition, the Ministerial Council on the Status of Women has taken on a monitoring role for the implementation of the national strategy. When this conference meets later this year, in August, I look forward to reporting on the progress that has been made in the ACT. At the present time the Government is giving careful consideration to the directions the strategy has suggested for action. In common with all other State and Territory governments, we are using the strategy as a framework against which to measure our own initiatives in this area. Our initiatives include such legislative measures as the enactment of portability legislation to allow domestic violence orders made in other States to be registered in the ACT Magistrates Court, and amendments to the ACT Crimes Act to allow the police power to search for concealed weapons in domestic violence situations. The Government has also initiated the establishment of a domestic violence support worker position at the Women's Information and Referral Centre to assist women to gain access to the services they require. In addition to assisting women in this way, I understand that training programs on issues surrounding domestic violence will also be offered to government agencies. To provide some continuing support for women, a series of support groups for survivors of domestic violence are being held.
Another example of our commitment to investigate and to deal with violence against women is the recent comprehensive investigation by the ACT Community Law Reform Committee into domestic violence and its subsequent release of a discussion paper, which we have debated in this Assembly. We have also demonstrated the Government's commitment to deal with violence against women through the recent reference by my colleague Mr Terry Connolly to the Community Law Reform Committee to review the ACT sexual assault laws. The committee has been asked to report on any desirable changes concerning the existing laws, practices and procedures relating to sexual assault, including whether the current system adequately deals with the needs of victims, and on the need for further measures for legislation and to improve the current system. I understand that consultation with the service providers in this area is currently going on. These consultations will inform the preparation of the discussion paper on sexual assault, which will be made available for public comment. It is important to note that this reference does state explicitly that the committee's review is to have particular regard to any relevant recommendations of the National Committee on Violence Against Women, and naturally that will include the objectives of the national strategy.
In addition, the ACT Government has taken some important initiatives in the area of gun law reform and crime prevention, which further demonstrates our commitment to protecting women from violence. Finally, my Women's Consultative Council has made the issue of violence against women a major priority for its work. In particular, the council will continue to provide a focus for public consultation on issues which are highlighted by the national strategy. The council has recently co-sponsored a seminar on sexual harassment with my Youth Advisory Council, which was organised in cooperation with the ACT Human Rights Office. I understand that community education was one important area for action that was identified by the participants in that seminar. Plans are also under way for the Women's Consultative Council to hold a public forum on matters related to sexual assault later in the year. In addition to these activities, I understand that the council will be seeking the views of ACT women's organisations on this national strategy.
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