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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) | |
| 5.44am BST | |
| 05:44 | |
| Here’s an overview of just some of the media reporting of the commission’s landmark report so far. | |
| Miki Perkins has written a piece for The Age highlighting some of the key recommendations, including the focus on abusers and the need to protect children. You can read her piece here. | |
| Meanwhile, this piece from the Gay News Network by Rachel Cook quotes Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor, Sean Mulcahy, who says: | |
| “It is encouraging that the Royal Commission has acknowledged that LGBTI people experiencing family violence have not been adequately supported. In this climate, it is not surprising that a half to two thirds of people in LGBTI relationships do not access support when experiencing family violence.” | |
| And Stephanie Anderson writes for the ABC that “Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has vowed to overhaul a “broken” family violence support system after a report called for sweeping reforms to prevent and respond to the problem”. Read her full piece here. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.44am BST | |
| 5.35am BST | |
| 05:35 | |
| Kate Fitz-Gibbon, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology with Monash University, has written a piece for the Conversation about the royal commission’s key recommendations. You can read the full piece here. In the meantime, here’s an excerpt: | |
| The commission recommended the statewide establishment of 17 safety hubs. These would be designed as local entry points to specialist family violence services, perpetrator programs, and additional support services. | |
| People will be able to approach a hub directly or be referred by another service. Hubs will conduct risk assessment and provide people with direct access to a range of relevant support services. | |
| Recognising the value of specialist responses to family violence, the commission recommended the government ensure that, subject to exceptional circumstances, within five years a specialist family violence court hear all family violence matters. This on its own is a game-changer for legal responses to family violence. | |
| Other court-based recommendations included greater resources for legal services and improvement of court facilities and infrastructure to better ensure victim safety when attending court. | |
| The report provides clear recognition of the inability of intervention orders to keep victims safe. The commission recommended a range of long-awaited strategies to improve effectiveness of the serving, monitoring and overseeing of these orders. | |
| 5.33am BST | |
| 05:33 | |
| There has been a huge reaction to the commission’s findings on social media, with #FamilyViolence and #RCFV [Royal Commission into Family Violence] trending on Twitter for several hours. | |
| Here are some of the reactions from Twitter: | |
| LGBTI organisation have praised the Royal Commission recommendations into family violence https://t.co/tY0ne6X5RN pic.twitter.com/kz4ZBb7khy | |
| We welcome the comprehensive approach to resolving the family violence pandemic in Victoria #RCFV Read more: https://t.co/dQ4FBQXsWZ | |
| "This report will change everything" says Victorian Premier @DanielAndrewsMP #RCFVpic.twitter.com/mxssSL9g4G | |
| #RCFV delighted my research findings contributed to report recommendation 13 - support for women remaining or returning to their home | |
| We agree! "Access to safe, stable and affordable housing is vital for women and children who have experienced family violence" #RCFV | |
| 5.24am BST | |
| 05:24 | |
| Thanks to Helen Davidson for updating this live blog with all of the reaction to the royal commission’s landmark report throughout the day. Melissa Davey back with you, after attending the lock-up this morning at parliament house and press conferences from stakeholders in the family violence sector. We’ll have a story up on the key responses shortly. | |
| In the meantime, it’s fair to say the family violence sector has responded overwhelmingly positively to the report, which spans seven volumes, some 1,900 pages and includes 227 recommendations. | |
| Those recommendations are broken down into sections, which include [and yes I’m going to name them all]: risk management and assessment, information sharing, specialist family violence services, children and young people, sexual assault, pathways to services, police, court-based responses, offences and sentencing, perpetrators, the role of the health system, family violence and diversity, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, older people, people from culturally diverse communities, lesbian, gay , bisexual, transgender and intersex communities, people with disabilities, male victims, women in prison, male victims, women working in the sex industry, prevention, the workplace, sustainable governance data, research and evaluation, investment, and industry planning. | |
| So as you can see, it’s an extensive report and it will take some time for those in the sector and the Victorian government [and journalists!] to fully comprehend and comprehensively respond to the findings. It is so extensive that it’s also impossible to detail every sector and the recommendations made for each. | |
| However, you can access the full report here. | |
| If you have any questions about the report I’ll do my best to answer them: ask me either on Twitter or on Facebook. | |
| Updated | |
| at 5.27am BST | |
| 5.07am BST | 5.07am BST |
| 05:07 | 05:07 |
| The Victorian Greens said today was “a long awaited step on the path” to reducing the harm caused by family violence. | The Victorian Greens said today was “a long awaited step on the path” to reducing the harm caused by family violence. |
| “To its credit, the government has committed to implementing all 227 recommendations,” said acting Victorian Greens leader Samantha Dunn. | “To its credit, the government has committed to implementing all 227 recommendations,” said acting Victorian Greens leader Samantha Dunn. |
| “The Commission attached timelines to many of the recommendations, so there is no excuse for delay. | “The Commission attached timelines to many of the recommendations, so there is no excuse for delay. |
| Some recommendations are well understood and could have been implemented before now, such as keeping victims and perpetrators physically separated when they go to court. We’ve known about problems like this for a long time and cannot afford to delay acting any longer.” | Some recommendations are well understood and could have been implemented before now, such as keeping victims and perpetrators physically separated when they go to court. We’ve known about problems like this for a long time and cannot afford to delay acting any longer.” |
| 4.42am BST | 4.42am BST |
| 04:42 | 04:42 |
| Launch Housing, an anti-homelessness organisation has described the findings as a “game-changer”. | Launch Housing, an anti-homelessness organisation has described the findings as a “game-changer”. |
| “Our frontline staff are daily faced with the untenable choice - do they let a family sleep in their car, return to a violent situation at home or accommodate them in a dodgy rooming house,” said chief executive Tony Keenan. | “Our frontline staff are daily faced with the untenable choice - do they let a family sleep in their car, return to a violent situation at home or accommodate them in a dodgy rooming house,” said chief executive Tony Keenan. |
| “The Royal Commission has explicitly stated that this is not appropriate and cannot continue and recommends funding to enable appropriate crisis accommodation for those who need it.” | “The Royal Commission has explicitly stated that this is not appropriate and cannot continue and recommends funding to enable appropriate crisis accommodation for those who need it.” |
| In November 2015, the Victorian government announced the allocation of $12m over four years to fund Family Violence Flexible Support Packages to assist people escaping violent situations. Packages of up to $7000 were to pay for things such as rental or relocation costs, furnishings, clothing and books for children, and security measures to improve safety at home. | In November 2015, the Victorian government announced the allocation of $12m over four years to fund Family Violence Flexible Support Packages to assist people escaping violent situations. Packages of up to $7000 were to pay for things such as rental or relocation costs, furnishings, clothing and books for children, and security measures to improve safety at home. |
| The program, announced during the commission’s run, is not yet up and running, but today’s report recommended its expansion. Keenan said the recommendations recognised the private rental market as the quickest way to get people rehoused. | The program, announced during the commission’s run, is not yet up and running, but today’s report recommended its expansion. Keenan said the recommendations recognised the private rental market as the quickest way to get people rehoused. |
| “We welcome the focus of the Royal Commission on keeping women and kids safely housed in their own home,” he said. | “We welcome the focus of the Royal Commission on keeping women and kids safely housed in their own home,” he said. |
| “That is always the best option. In those circumstances where we can’t do this, we know that getting women and kids rehoused safely as quickly as possible in their own community will cause the least harm.” | “That is always the best option. In those circumstances where we can’t do this, we know that getting women and kids rehoused safely as quickly as possible in their own community will cause the least harm.” |
| 4.15am BST | 4.15am BST |
| 04:15 | 04:15 |
| Melissa Davey | Melissa Davey |
| Dr Chris Atmore from the Federation of Community Legal Centres said the commission and the government’s willingness not to beat around the bush about what is not working was refreshing. | Dr Chris Atmore from the Federation of Community Legal Centres said the commission and the government’s willingness not to beat around the bush about what is not working was refreshing. |
| She said the courts needed to work better, and she was glad to see beefed up support for the court system. | She said the courts needed to work better, and she was glad to see beefed up support for the court system. |
| The recognition of family violence specialisation and skills and the need to ensure women get consistency in responses in their journey through the system was really important. It shouldn’t depend on which police officer they see or magistrate they see as to whether they will get helped. | The recognition of family violence specialisation and skills and the need to ensure women get consistency in responses in their journey through the system was really important. It shouldn’t depend on which police officer they see or magistrate they see as to whether they will get helped. |
| Also, to see a recommendation for independent oversight of the system is a huge relief. The commission really got it that those who have worked in the sector have seen things constantly change and policies change and an overarching body to independently oversee the sector shows they appreciate how important it is to have a dispassionate body analysing and assessing what works and what doesn’t.” | Also, to see a recommendation for independent oversight of the system is a huge relief. The commission really got it that those who have worked in the sector have seen things constantly change and policies change and an overarching body to independently oversee the sector shows they appreciate how important it is to have a dispassionate body analysing and assessing what works and what doesn’t.” |
| 3.58am BST | 3.58am BST |
| 03:58 | 03:58 |
| With longer reports and analysis on the way from Melissa Davey and Gay Alcorn, let’s take stock of this morning’s events. | With longer reports and analysis on the way from Melissa Davey and Gay Alcorn, let’s take stock of this morning’s events. |
| 3.47am BST | 3.47am BST |
| 03:47 | 03:47 |
| As stakeholders and government agencies work on their responses to the report, here is a quick analysis from our Melbourne editor, Gay Alcorn. | As stakeholders and government agencies work on their responses to the report, here is a quick analysis from our Melbourne editor, Gay Alcorn. |
| The first reaction to the commission’s report was that it was overwhelming - it’s seven volumes, plus a summary volume. It makes 227 recommendations and nobody yet has had the opportunity to absorb it all. And it’s so comprehensive - it covers everything from police, courts, domestic violence services and funding, housing, integrating services, training and mandatory respectful relationships programs in schools. | The first reaction to the commission’s report was that it was overwhelming - it’s seven volumes, plus a summary volume. It makes 227 recommendations and nobody yet has had the opportunity to absorb it all. And it’s so comprehensive - it covers everything from police, courts, domestic violence services and funding, housing, integrating services, training and mandatory respectful relationships programs in schools. |
| It deals with big issues and small. For instance, it wants a an independent statutory body to oversee the implementation of the report and to hold the government to account and it also recommends that the government funds to ensure victims of family violence have counselling “for as long as they need”. | It deals with big issues and small. For instance, it wants a an independent statutory body to oversee the implementation of the report and to hold the government to account and it also recommends that the government funds to ensure victims of family violence have counselling “for as long as they need”. |
| It sounds prosaic, but the cost of these recommendations will be in the many hundreds of millions. The report acknowledges it, saying that it has “ substantial investment implications for government” and that for too long, the sector has been seriously underfunded. It points out too, that at the moment, the government has no real idea about how much it spends on family violence, and that needs to change. The commissioners go so far as to say that the new funds needed “may require investigating options for redirecting existing revenue sources towards family violence expenditure” and even “identifying new revenue sources” to afford it all. | It sounds prosaic, but the cost of these recommendations will be in the many hundreds of millions. The report acknowledges it, saying that it has “ substantial investment implications for government” and that for too long, the sector has been seriously underfunded. It points out too, that at the moment, the government has no real idea about how much it spends on family violence, and that needs to change. The commissioners go so far as to say that the new funds needed “may require investigating options for redirecting existing revenue sources towards family violence expenditure” and even “identifying new revenue sources” to afford it all. |
| “In our view the community would support a substantial increase in funding to reduce family violence, provide better protection to victims and hold perpetrators accountable,” commissioner Marcia Neave told at a media conference. | “In our view the community would support a substantial increase in funding to reduce family violence, provide better protection to victims and hold perpetrators accountable,” commissioner Marcia Neave told at a media conference. |
| Premier Daniel Andrews was asked about whether he would consider a new tax to help fund the recommendations. He wouldn’t go that far, but he repeated his promise that the government would implement all 227 recommendations and said his officers were going through each one and working out how much they would cost the state. | Premier Daniel Andrews was asked about whether he would consider a new tax to help fund the recommendations. He wouldn’t go that far, but he repeated his promise that the government would implement all 227 recommendations and said his officers were going through each one and working out how much they would cost the state. |
| “This will be many hundreds of millions of dollars,” Andrews said. Yet he insisted it was an “investment” in a safer Victoria, and pointed out that the cost of domestic violence now - in lives lost, in injuries, in police resources to name just a few - was unacceptable. | “This will be many hundreds of millions of dollars,” Andrews said. Yet he insisted it was an “investment” in a safer Victoria, and pointed out that the cost of domestic violence now - in lives lost, in injuries, in police resources to name just a few - was unacceptable. |
| “This is not about saving money, it is about saving lives,” he said. “Family violence is costing us $3.1b a year (and) it’s 40% of police work.” | “This is not about saving money, it is about saving lives,” he said. “Family violence is costing us $3.1b a year (and) it’s 40% of police work.” |
| 3.39am BST | 3.39am BST |
| 03:39 | 03:39 |
| It apparently weighs almost five kilos. | It apparently weighs almost five kilos. |
| This is the #RCFV report all 7 volumes pic.twitter.com/kS7rcyTo6i | This is the #RCFV report all 7 volumes pic.twitter.com/kS7rcyTo6i |
| 3.33am BST | 3.33am BST |
| 03:33 | 03:33 |
| Federal Labor has congratulated the royal commission, those who contributed to it, premier Daniel Andrews, and minister for Prevention for Family Violence Fiona Richardson. | Federal Labor has congratulated the royal commission, those who contributed to it, premier Daniel Andrews, and minister for Prevention for Family Violence Fiona Richardson. |
| “Eliminating family and domestic violence requires a long term strategic approach by all levels of government and the Australian community,” said Terri Butler, the shadow parliamentary secretary for child safety and prevention of family violence. | “Eliminating family and domestic violence requires a long term strategic approach by all levels of government and the Australian community,” said Terri Butler, the shadow parliamentary secretary for child safety and prevention of family violence. |
| “Federal Labor stands ready, with already released policies, and a willingness to work with state and local governments, stakeholders, and the community, to eliminate violence against women and their children once and for all,” she said. | “Federal Labor stands ready, with already released policies, and a willingness to work with state and local governments, stakeholders, and the community, to eliminate violence against women and their children once and for all,” she said. |
| Butler noted Labor’s existing commitments, including a pledge to make domestic and family violence leave “a universal workplace right” by providing for five days paid leave in the National Employment Standards. | Butler noted Labor’s existing commitments, including a pledge to make domestic and family violence leave “a universal workplace right” by providing for five days paid leave in the National Employment Standards. |
| 3.22am BST | 3.22am BST |
| 03:22 | 03:22 |
| Melissa Davey | Melissa Davey |
| Annette Gillespie is the CEO of Safe Steps family violence response centre said the safety hubs - the 17 one-stop centres the commission has recommended be established throughout the state for victims to get help from police, counsellors, housing services and other providers - was a significant recommendation. | Annette Gillespie is the CEO of Safe Steps family violence response centre said the safety hubs - the 17 one-stop centres the commission has recommended be established throughout the state for victims to get help from police, counsellors, housing services and other providers - was a significant recommendation. |
| “The safety and support hubs I think will give greater support to women and children in their local area. Also the commitment to fund frontline services and to have a blitz on emergency accommodation for women and their children to ensure there is efficient accommodation is a big shift in thinking . The history of keeping women safe has involved removing them from their homes and taking them to secret locations. These recommendations allow women to stay home and stay safe.” | “The safety and support hubs I think will give greater support to women and children in their local area. Also the commitment to fund frontline services and to have a blitz on emergency accommodation for women and their children to ensure there is efficient accommodation is a big shift in thinking . The history of keeping women safe has involved removing them from their homes and taking them to secret locations. These recommendations allow women to stay home and stay safe.” |
| She said the recommendation calling for an independent government body to oversee the commission’s recommendations would be significant in holding the government to account as well as the organisations responding to family violence, such as police. That accountability was something Gillespie said she never thought she would see several years ago. | She said the recommendation calling for an independent government body to oversee the commission’s recommendations would be significant in holding the government to account as well as the organisations responding to family violence, such as police. That accountability was something Gillespie said she never thought she would see several years ago. |
| 3.15am BST | 3.15am BST |
| 03:15 | 03:15 |
| Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service, has specifically noted one recommendation. | Jacqui Watt, chief executive of the No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service, has specifically noted one recommendation. |
| “The Royal Commission recommends that within 12 months men’s behaviour change programs are funded to meet the demand from men who are ordered to attend and also from those who volunteer,” Watt told Guardian Australia. | “The Royal Commission recommends that within 12 months men’s behaviour change programs are funded to meet the demand from men who are ordered to attend and also from those who volunteer,” Watt told Guardian Australia. |
| “This is a first and represents a significant shift from how Victoria has approached its family violence prevention response to date. | “This is a first and represents a significant shift from how Victoria has approached its family violence prevention response to date. |
| I’m pleased to see this recommendation from the Royal Commission and look forward to No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service assisting the government in implementing the expansion of men’s behaviour change programs across the state this year.” | I’m pleased to see this recommendation from the Royal Commission and look forward to No To Violence / Men’s Referral Service assisting the government in implementing the expansion of men’s behaviour change programs across the state this year.” |
| 3.05am BST | 3.05am BST |
| 03:05 | 03:05 |
| LGBTI groups have welcomed the report. | LGBTI groups have welcomed the report. |
| “It is encouraging that the Royal Commission has acknowledged that LGBTI people experiencing family violence have not been adequately supported. In this climate, it is not surprising that a half to two thirds of people in LGBTI relationships do not access support when experiencing family violence,” said Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor Sean Mulcahy. | “It is encouraging that the Royal Commission has acknowledged that LGBTI people experiencing family violence have not been adequately supported. In this climate, it is not surprising that a half to two thirds of people in LGBTI relationships do not access support when experiencing family violence,” said Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Co-Convenor Sean Mulcahy. |
| “These recommendations are critical to ensuring that LGBTI people can access family violence services who understand their particular needs and without a fear of being turned away. The recommendations also highlight the need for inclusive community education and awareness campaigns that encourage LGBTI people experiencing family violence to seek help.” | “These recommendations are critical to ensuring that LGBTI people can access family violence services who understand their particular needs and without a fear of being turned away. The recommendations also highlight the need for inclusive community education and awareness campaigns that encourage LGBTI people experiencing family violence to seek help.” |
| 2.59am BST | 2.59am BST |
| 02:59 | 02:59 |
| Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service in Victoria, says it was encouraging to see the experiences of Indigenous women were front and centre in the report. | Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service in Victoria, says it was encouraging to see the experiences of Indigenous women were front and centre in the report. |
| “Too often Aboriginal women are silenced and invisible to policy makers,” she told reporters. | “Too often Aboriginal women are silenced and invisible to policy makers,” she told reporters. |
| “It was also encouraging to see that the royal commission is recommending that the government invest into Aboriginal community controlled organisations, those organisations that focus on women and children as well as legal services for victims. Also there were other recommendations around child protection [we are pleased with].” | “It was also encouraging to see that the royal commission is recommending that the government invest into Aboriginal community controlled organisations, those organisations that focus on women and children as well as legal services for victims. Also there were other recommendations around child protection [we are pleased with].” |
| Braybrook said 80% of Aboriginal women in prison were mothers, and 90% of those had experienced family violence. | Braybrook said 80% of Aboriginal women in prison were mothers, and 90% of those had experienced family violence. |
| “An investment into culturally safe, community controlled services will ensure all Aboriginal women have access to those services and safety.” | “An investment into culturally safe, community controlled services will ensure all Aboriginal women have access to those services and safety.” |
| 2.48am BST | 2.48am BST |
| 02:48 | 02:48 |
| Melissa Davey | 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. | 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. | There was some emphasis on it she says, but there could have been more. |
| Stakeholders responding now including Fiona McCormack pic.twitter.com/QOv37D9vHJ | Stakeholders responding now including Fiona McCormack pic.twitter.com/QOv37D9vHJ |