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Royal commission into domestic violence hands down findings – live
Royal commission into domestic violence hands down findings – live
(35 minutes later)
2.48am BST
02:48
Melissa Davey
Fiona McCormack from Domestic Violence Victoria is a bit disappointed there wasn’t more emphasis on a dedicated long term funding scheme, contributed to by both the state and federal governments.
There was some emphasis on it she says, but there could have been more.
Stakeholders responding now including Fiona McCormack pic.twitter.com/QOv37D9vHJ
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02:45
Among the 227 recommendations by the royal commission are several new approaches which it says are needed to address family violence.
Below is a summary, set out in the report.
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02:22
"The human cost is unacceptable"
Daniel Andrews has delivered a response to the findings via video message.
“Last year 37 Victorians were murdered by the people they trusted the most, and we failed every single one of them,” says Andrews.
“One thing’s for certain, more of the same policies will only mean more of the same tragedies.”
It's time to change it all. #RCFVhttps://t.co/Y5ygYMkPTD
2.17am BST
2.17am BST
02:17
02:17
The full report from the royal commission into family violence is now online.
The full report from the royal commission into family violence is now online.
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02:12
02:12
Rosie Batty, anti-violence campaigner, former Australian of the Year, and the mother of 11-year-old Luke, who’s death at the hands of his father was among the incidents which prompted this inquiry, says the report is “a huge turning point in our society”.
Rosie Batty, anti-violence campaigner, former Australian of the Year, and the mother of 11-year-old Luke, who’s death at the hands of his father was among the incidents which prompted this inquiry, says the report is “a huge turning point in our society”.
“It would have been great that it happened decades ago,” she says. “It’s sad that it happened through tragedy.”
“It would have been great that it happened decades ago,” she says. “It’s sad that it happened through tragedy.”
Batty says it’s “critical” that states keep pressure on the federal government over funding for anti-violence programs, and that the issue should be on the federal election agenda.
Batty says it’s “critical” that states keep pressure on the federal government over funding for anti-violence programs, and that the issue should be on the federal election agenda.
"It will take weeks" to digest the seven volume report, Rosie Batty says. "But I'm thrilled" she says. #RCFV pic.twitter.com/dBGOsRnjJX
"It will take weeks" to digest the seven volume report, Rosie Batty says. "But I'm thrilled" she says. #RCFV pic.twitter.com/dBGOsRnjJX
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02:05
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Reactions to the findings are beginning to come in from stakeholders and spokespeople.
Reactions to the findings are beginning to come in from stakeholders and spokespeople.
The Victorian Council of Social Service described the report as “a landmark moment and a turning point in addressing the scourge of family violence in Victoria”.
The Victorian Council of Social Service described the report as “a landmark moment and a turning point in addressing the scourge of family violence in Victoria”.
The organisation welcomed the focus on aspects like financial security, which it described as one of many “critical areas that are often overlooked”.
The organisation welcomed the focus on aspects like financial security, which it described as one of many “critical areas that are often overlooked”.
“The Royal Commission’s report provides a framework for long-term, whole-of-government, transformational change across the family violence system,” said Emma King, VCOSS CEO.
“The Royal Commission’s report provides a framework for long-term, whole-of-government, transformational change across the family violence system,” said Emma King, VCOSS CEO.
“Some of the recommendations will require significant new funding. We look forward to seeing this begin to roll out in the state government’s April budget.
“Some of the recommendations will require significant new funding. We look forward to seeing this begin to roll out in the state government’s April budget.
“Challenges will inevitably arise with such seismic change to the way the Victorian community, the service system and government work together to tackle the scourge of family violence. But it is incumbent on us all to make the most of what is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve real change.”
“Challenges will inevitably arise with such seismic change to the way the Victorian community, the service system and government work together to tackle the scourge of family violence. But it is incumbent on us all to make the most of what is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve real change.”
2.01am BST
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02:01
02:01
Read Davey’s full report on the findings of the royal commission here.
Read Davey’s full report on the findings of the royal commission here.
Related: Overhaul 'broken system' of dealing with domestic violence, says royal commission
Related: Overhaul 'broken system' of dealing with domestic violence, says royal commission
1.59am BST
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01:59
01:59
Andrews says he spoke with prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull this morning, and will discuss the findings tomorrow night.
Andrews says he spoke with prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull this morning, and will discuss the findings tomorrow night.
Andrews and other state and territory leaders are having a dinner with Turnbull ahead of Friday’s Council of Australian Governments meeting.
Andrews and other state and territory leaders are having a dinner with Turnbull ahead of Friday’s Council of Australian Governments meeting.
He says he’s not interested in fighting with the federal government and is confident Turnbull will hear him out on the federal government’s role.
He says he’s not interested in fighting with the federal government and is confident Turnbull will hear him out on the federal government’s role.
1.48am BST
1.48am BST
01:48
01:48
Melissa Davey
Melissa Davey
Andrews is asked how he will fund the extensive overhaul of various systems. He doesn’t have a cost yet - his officials were working through the document still, which he only received yesterday, to figure it out.
Andrews is asked how he will fund the extensive overhaul of various systems. He doesn’t have a cost yet - his officials were working through the document still, which he only received yesterday, to figure it out.
Some of the recommendations recommend funding and changes within months, others within years. However Andrews said implementing all the recommendations would cost the government “many hundreds of millions of dollars”.
Some of the recommendations recommend funding and changes within months, others within years. However Andrews said implementing all the recommendations would cost the government “many hundreds of millions of dollars”.
He is not deterred by this.
He is not deterred by this.
“The budget will be delivered in just a couple of weeks time. Obviously here are some things that can’t wait. We will move quickly on those things that simply can not wait. That will come at a significant cost. This is not about saving money. This is about saving lives. Family violence is costing us at least $3.1bn dollars every single year. How do you put a price on a life lost?”
“The budget will be delivered in just a couple of weeks time. Obviously here are some things that can’t wait. We will move quickly on those things that simply can not wait. That will come at a significant cost. This is not about saving money. This is about saving lives. Family violence is costing us at least $3.1bn dollars every single year. How do you put a price on a life lost?”
1.40am BST
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01:40
In the first clue about the extent of the work required, Andrews says the changes needed will come “from governments over time” and “we need a focus beyond the life of any one government”.
In the first clue about the extent of the work required, Andrews says the changes needed will come “from governments over time” and “we need a focus beyond the life of any one government”.
Andrews describes the problem as a failure of political leadership, not hard workers in the family violence sector. "That changes today".
Andrews describes the problem as a failure of political leadership, not hard workers in the family violence sector. "That changes today".
Updated
Updated
at 1.40am BST
at 1.40am BST
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01:37
01:37
There is a lot of optimism about the changes which can come from this report. The recommendations are many and ambitious, and the Victorian government has pledged to implement them all.
There is a lot of optimism about the changes which can come from this report. The recommendations are many and ambitious, and the Victorian government has pledged to implement them all.
Women too often have to choose between violence and homelessness, Neave says, which is why the report focuses on helping women with housing.
Women too often have to choose between violence and homelessness, Neave says, which is why the report focuses on helping women with housing.
Daniel Andrews is back on and describes the report as important not just for Victoria but the nation. He thanks #rcfv for their hard work.
Daniel Andrews is back on and describes the report as important not just for Victoria but the nation. He thanks #rcfv for their hard work.
Applause for Premier Daniel Andrews as he says all 227 #RCFV recs will be implemented by his gov #springst
Applause for Premier Daniel Andrews as he says all 227 #RCFV recs will be implemented by his gov #springst
However the premier says a change of the bad and "appalling" attitudes towards women will take a long time. Applause as he calls for change.
However the premier says a change of the bad and "appalling" attitudes towards women will take a long time. Applause as he calls for change.
1.32am BST
01:32
Melissa Davey
We need to get much better at helping victims of family violence to recover financially and psychologically, Neave says.
She recommends a significant expansion of counselling and support systems for victims, including calling on the federal government to provide a medicare number for family violence counselling.
It’s important to note the recommendations are to the Victorian government and not the federal government, so the report recommends the Victorian government use its role in bodies like COAG to lobby the federal government for changes like this.
“The whole report is premised on the need for a whole of community response,” she says. “We know now right across the community there is a willingness to take action and support victims. But there is also limited understanding about how to help.”
That’s why the report was recommending comprehensive and consistent family violence training and risk assessment procedures be adopted for those working in courts, the police, health workers and other workers in the sector, as well as more accessible information for those in the community through websites and education, she says.
1.25am BST
01:25
More from Neave:
“Although there are good things being done by many services... the overall response to family response needs to be transformed. The 227 recommendations work together as an overall package.”
Below are some of the key areas, as noted by Neave.
Safety hubs
“We recommend the establishment of 17 support and safety hubs throughout Victoria, operating as local entry points to specialist family violence services, perp programs, and specialist services to support families and children.”
“Some victims want the violence to stop but don’t want to separate from the person who caused violence. The hubs... will ensure perpetrators who seek help can find it.”
Focus on perpetrators
“We know the system needs to focus much more on the people who visit violence on their families. Victims should not be held resposnbile to manage their own or their children’s safety.
“Privacy should not trump victims’ safety. So the commission recommends... the establishment of a central information point which will funnel information relevant to risk from police, courts, corrections and other services to the hubs to keep victims safe.”
Police and courts
We recommend police are equipped with mobile tech to relieve them from unnecessary paperwork” and body cameras.
We recommend more specialist family violence courts so within five years all family violence victims will have their matters heard in a family violence court.
We also propose stronger perpetrator programs, increased monitoring and oversight by agencies, upgrades to court security so victims don’t have to come into contact with perpetrators.
Children
“We know children and young people are the silent victims of family violence. In around a third of police family violence call outs, children are present.”
Recommendations: Integrated family support and family violence services. Much more access to intensive therapeutic services, and expansion of services which work on repairing mother child bond.
1.17am BST
01:17
Volume one of the report has set out the stories of people who gave evidence, Neave tells the press conference.
She describes the story of one woman and her children who escaped her husband after years of physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
“Susan believed she had sheltered her children from the violence, until one of her son’s teachers drew attention to the fact that one of her children wasn’t speaking at school.”
“After she did leave she and her four children were homeless for much of the year.”
They lived in a public park, with the car parked near the children’s school. She was offered accommodation but only for her and two children, so she rejected it, and ultimately found help through a chaplain. Her husband was later convicted and jailed.
“While each story is unique and while individuals suffer family violence in different ways, her story has a resemblance to other stories we heard from victims,” says Neave.
1.13am BST
01:13
"Too many women are dying. The #RCFV was our highest and most formal way to get the answers that we need" - Andrews. pic.twitter.com/ef4WgBirIA
The press conference has begun. Andrews has introduced Commissioner Neave. The royal commission was “always designed as an acknowledgement that the system is broken,” he said.
1.10am BST
01:10
'We will get this right' - Andrews
Premier Andrews has release a statement ahead of his press conference. The Victorian Labor government has reiterated its pledge to implement every single recommendation from the report, and promised new laws, 17 statewide “safety hubs”, a boost to services and a “housing blitz” for women in crisis.
“I refuse to look back in ten years’ time and admit we could have done more to safe innocent lives,” said Andrews.
“We will get this right.
“We will punish the perpetrators, listen to the survivors, and change the culture that allows family violence to happen in the first place.
There can be no more excuses. Our work begins today to overhaul our broken family violence system from the bottom up.”
#RCFV lockup has ended. Premier about to speak but has also released this statement: pic.twitter.com/kQOClZ04EK
Updated
at 2.10am BST
1.05am BST
01:05
Royal commission makes 227 recommendations
The findings from the royal commission have now been tabled to Victorian parliament.
Melissa Davey and Gay Alcorn have spent the last few hours going over the report, which delivered an unprecedented 227 recommendations. From Davey:
Australia’s first royal commission into family violence has made a comprehensive 227 recommendations in its landmark report to the Victorian parliament, making it the most extensive document ever handed down on how to how to prevent and respond to the issue.
There is an emphasis on breaking down a siloed system to increase transparency and cooperation between sectors, as well numerous recommendations to hold the performance of those sectors to account.
Removing the burden from victims in getting help and placing accountability on the shoulders of perpetrators is also a strong focus of the report. There is also a role for the state government in lobbying the federal government for change, the report says.
We’ll bring you Davey’s full report shortly.
1.01am BST
01:01
Melissa Davey
The handing down of the commission’s recommendations today is expected to lead to a flood of women seeking help for family violence situations, putting crisis lines and housing services under pressure.
To pre-empt this, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews last week announced an immediate $10m in funding towards support services. This included $6m to meet an expected rapid rise in calls for help after the royal commission’s report is released, including to crisis accommodation, counselling, women’s health, behaviour change programs and services working with Aboriginal survivors.
Andrews said funding was only the beginning of further funding announcements, expected to be made at his press conference later this morning once the commission’s findings have been made public.
You can find a list of family violence support services here.
Updated
at 1.46am BST
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01:00
Among the evidence heard by the commission, data from the Australian Institute of Criminology’s national homicide monitor revealed that in the decade to 2012, 1,088 of the 2,631 recorded homicides were “domestic”.
This translated to an average of 115 victims of domestic homicide per year in Australia. Three-quarters of intimate partner homicides resulted in the death of a female. Children were the next most likely to be killed.
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at 1.05am BST
12.53am BST
00:53
Melissa Davey
Melissa Davey spoke with a couple of the key family violence organisations in Victoria on Tuesday to get an idea of what they’ll be hoping to see when the commission’s list of recommendations are revealed today.
As is to be expected, more secure and long-term funding was raised, as well as better integration of different sectors of the family violence system with each other.
The chief executive officer of Domestic Violence Victoria, Fiona McCormack, who is also in the lock-up, said:
We’re hoping for recommendations that support a more systematic approach to engaging with men who use violence.
We’ve got a system that’s largely designed to provide support for women and children when they reach out, which is obviously critical, and obviously that needs to continue. But the cause of the violence is going under the radar and we’ve got to tilt the system so it is much more focused on the men who behave this way.
We want to see the responsibility taken away from women to protect themselves and their children and to utilise opportunities to interrupt the violence and engage with men.
We’ll be getting some reaction from McCormack once the lock-up is over.
Updated
at 1.06am BST
12.48am BST
00:48
Welcome to Guardian Australia’s live coverage of the findings from Australia’s first family violence royal commission.
The recommendations from the 13-month inquiry are being tabled in Victoria’s parliament today.
The family violence royal commission was announced by the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews shortly after his election in November 2014 and following a number of high-profile murders of women and their children. One of the most high-profile was the death of 11 year-old Luke Batty.
Commissioner Marcia Neave was given wide-ranging terms of reference (pdf). Today’s report should include recommendations on best practise measures for the prevention of family violence, how to better support victims and hold perpetrators to account, the creation of systemic responses, and improvements in agency responses and reporting mechanisms.
It heard evidence from more than 200 people and examined aspects of family violence including elder abuse, financial abuse, family violence among LGBTI people and in Indigenous communities, and the role of alcohol, mental illness and gender inequality.
Guardian Australia’s Melbourne editor, Gay Alcorn, and journalist, Melissa Davey, entered a lock-up to read the recommendations at 9.30am. Once that is over and the report is tabled, they will bring you comprehensive coverage of its findings and a press conference with Andrews and Australia’s first minister for the prevention of family violence, Fiona Richardson.
Andrews has previously committed to adopting every one of the reports recommendations, so all eyes will be on him to see how he will fund the recommendations and over what time frame.
Stay with us.
The National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached at 1800 737 732The Men’s Referral Service provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals to men to help them take action to stop using violent and controlling behaviour: 1300 766 491
