This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/sep/21/domestic-violence-levels-in-northern-territory-horrendous-says-coroner
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Domestic violence levels in Northern Territory 'horrendous', says coroner | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Levels of domestic violence in the Northern Territory are “horrendous” and there’s little evidence law and order measures are having any impact, a coroner has said. | Levels of domestic violence in the Northern Territory are “horrendous” and there’s little evidence law and order measures are having any impact, a coroner has said. |
| Violence in Indigenous communities, in particular, is “literally out of control” and women are living terrible lives and enduring horrifying deaths, judge Greg Cavanagh said. | Violence in Indigenous communities, in particular, is “literally out of control” and women are living terrible lives and enduring horrifying deaths, judge Greg Cavanagh said. |
| In his findings on two deaths Cavanagh said for many offenders jail was not a deterrent, alcohol was a major problem and domestic violence orders were ineffective. | In his findings on two deaths Cavanagh said for many offenders jail was not a deterrent, alcohol was a major problem and domestic violence orders were ineffective. |
| “The circumstances of these two deaths reveal the stark reality that the criminal justice system fails to protect women from domestic violence,” he said. “That is to say, policing and punitive sentences do not provide an answer to stopping the violence.” | “The circumstances of these two deaths reveal the stark reality that the criminal justice system fails to protect women from domestic violence,” he said. “That is to say, policing and punitive sentences do not provide an answer to stopping the violence.” |
| Cavanagh said addressing the important questions of why domestic violence happened and why it was getting worse was fundamental to finding the means to protect women. | Cavanagh said addressing the important questions of why domestic violence happened and why it was getting worse was fundamental to finding the means to protect women. |
| “In my view some of the answers are likely to be found in the significant social-economic disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory,” he said. | “In my view some of the answers are likely to be found in the significant social-economic disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory,” he said. |
| “All of those factors that go to make up that disadvantage are in the context of what is becoming a cycle of generational family violence.” | “All of those factors that go to make up that disadvantage are in the context of what is becoming a cycle of generational family violence.” |
| In his inquest the coroner investigated the deaths of Wendy Murphy in 2014 and Natalie McCormack in 2015. | In his inquest the coroner investigated the deaths of Wendy Murphy in 2014 and Natalie McCormack in 2015. |
| For many offenders jail is not a deterrent. | For many offenders jail is not a deterrent. |
| Murphy, 36, had suffered through 45 episodes of domestic violence at the hands of her partner before he eventually killed her in a vicious and prolonged beating. | Murphy, 36, had suffered through 45 episodes of domestic violence at the hands of her partner before he eventually killed her in a vicious and prolonged beating. |
| According to police records, McCormack, 31, suffered 32 episodes of violence before dying from what her partner told police were self-inflicted stab wounds. Cavanagh referred her case back to NT police. | According to police records, McCormack, 31, suffered 32 episodes of violence before dying from what her partner told police were self-inflicted stab wounds. Cavanagh referred her case back to NT police. |
| He recommended police pursue the use of body cameras to capture evidence in cases of domestic violence and that they be given the power to target and monitor repeat offenders. | He recommended police pursue the use of body cameras to capture evidence in cases of domestic violence and that they be given the power to target and monitor repeat offenders. |
| He also called on courts to ensure domestic violence matters were given priority and for the NT government to consider intervention strategies to better ensure the safety of victims. | He also called on courts to ensure domestic violence matters were given priority and for the NT government to consider intervention strategies to better ensure the safety of victims. |