Page 4553 - Week 12 - Thursday, 26 October 2017
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In October 2016, ACT Health underwent a procurement process for the design of a pilot program which recognises the complex relationship between family violence and alcohol and other drug use, to enhance early intervention with victims and perpetrators of family violence. The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) was selected and a pilot project is now in the design phase. The pilot project will build capacity within the AOD sector to deliver programs that integrate best practice in family violence prevention.
3. Strengthening Justice Responses
Historical 2010-13
The ACT Sexual Assault Reform Program Wraparound approach is a coordinated response to victims of sexual assault reporting, or considering reporting, to the ACT Police. Uptake of the service has been high, with an estimated 80 per cent of victims presenting at the police station consenting to participate in the program.
The ACT Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) provides an interagency response to family violence matters that have come to the attention of police and then proceeded to prosecution. Core components of the FVIP include pro-arrest, pro-charge and presumption against bail, early provision of victim support, pro-prosecution, coordination and case management and rehabilitation of offenders.
In October 2012, ACT Policing agreed to establish a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Capital Territory Domestic Violence Crisis Service to encompass and strengthen the Family Violence Incident Review (FVIR) originally adopted in 2009. The new MoU builds on many years of close collaboration between these agencies in the collection of information on high-risk family violence incidents to support appropriate future responses. The FVIR is now an agreed means for identifying and addressing training and systems improvement opportunities for both agencies.
In December 2012, with funding from the ACT Government, the Centre published Your Court Your Safety—a guide to going to court and getting help with domestic violence. The guide provides victims of domestic violence with comprehensive information about the legal process for domestic violence and the range of support services available in the Australian Capital Territory.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 was presented in the ACT Legislative Assembly in November 2012. The Bill proposes a number of amendments in relation to sexual offences, including:
• creating new offences of sexual intercourse and act of indecency with a young person under special care; and
• bringing important definitions for sexual offences into line with other jurisdictions.
The Bill also continues the work of the Sexual Assault Reform Program by strengthening provisions for victims and certain witnesses who give evidence in sexual and violent offences. Victims who wish to read a victim impact statement aloud, either in court or, in certain cases, by audio visual link, will be given a right to do so.
The ACT Government provided new funding for a specialist intensive supported accommodation, case management and counselling intervention program for men who use violence against women and children. The program works with other support services to assist program participants to achieve long-term behavioural change and reduce re-offending.
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