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| Family violence royal commission: the seven lessons learned so far | Family violence royal commission: the seven lessons learned so far |
| (2 days later) | |
| The public hearings of Australia’s first royal commission into family violence began in Victoria on Monday. On each one of the 20 days of hearings planned, the commission will tackle a different aspect of family violence, while examining how systems across the state are responding to it. | The public hearings of Australia’s first royal commission into family violence began in Victoria on Monday. On each one of the 20 days of hearings planned, the commission will tackle a different aspect of family violence, while examining how systems across the state are responding to it. |
| The evidence given by experts in the sector will help inform the recommendations to be handed by the commission to the state government at the end of the year. The Victorian government has promised to adopt every recommendation, and it is expected this will have influence on policy nationally. | The evidence given by experts in the sector will help inform the recommendations to be handed by the commission to the state government at the end of the year. The Victorian government has promised to adopt every recommendation, and it is expected this will have influence on policy nationally. |
| Week one focused on financial abuse, family violence involving children, the impact of alcohol and drugs, and causes and definitions of family violence. Here’s what we have learned from the hearings so far: | Week one focused on financial abuse, family violence involving children, the impact of alcohol and drugs, and causes and definitions of family violence. Here’s what we have learned from the hearings so far: |
| Related: 'These women are not statistics' – deaths in Australia in 2015 | Related: 'These women are not statistics' – deaths in Australia in 2015 |
| 1. There has been a lot of focus on what we already know | 1. There has been a lot of focus on what we already know |
| It’s only week one, so perhaps this is inevitable. But so far, the commission has gone over ground highlighted by numerous past reports and studies carried out by governments, researchers and crisis groups. There has been nothing from the public hearings to date that would particularly surprise frontline workers in the sector, or victims. | It’s only week one, so perhaps this is inevitable. But so far, the commission has gone over ground highlighted by numerous past reports and studies carried out by governments, researchers and crisis groups. There has been nothing from the public hearings to date that would particularly surprise frontline workers in the sector, or victims. |
| This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A broader public education campaign on family violence is sorely needed and has been long-called for, and the widespread media coverage of the commission’s work will assist with this. | This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A broader public education campaign on family violence is sorely needed and has been long-called for, and the widespread media coverage of the commission’s work will assist with this. |
| And if the commission can somehow tie all of this existing knowledge together to come up with some realistic, coherent strategies, then the coordination of services that has been so often called for might actually seem feasible. | And if the commission can somehow tie all of this existing knowledge together to come up with some realistic, coherent strategies, then the coordination of services that has been so often called for might actually seem feasible. |
| 2. There are so many barriers to leaving a violent relationship | 2. There are so many barriers to leaving a violent relationship |
| Fears of being left homeless, not wanting to put children through upheaval, a lack of money, unemployment, and fears of being harmed or killed all prevented victims from leaving an abusive relationship. | Fears of being left homeless, not wanting to put children through upheaval, a lack of money, unemployment, and fears of being harmed or killed all prevented victims from leaving an abusive relationship. |
| Related: Domestic violence: five women tell their stories of leaving - the most dangerous time | Related: Domestic violence: five women tell their stories of leaving - the most dangerous time |
| Women were often turned away from refuges filled to capacity, and feared bringing their children into such transient environments, the commission heard. Other victims had been made to feel so powerless and dependent on their partner they did not know how to leave. | Women were often turned away from refuges filled to capacity, and feared bringing their children into such transient environments, the commission heard. Other victims had been made to feel so powerless and dependent on their partner they did not know how to leave. |
| For other women, language barriers made it much more difficult to find and understand resources, or ask for help. Financial abuse, which day four of the hearings was dedicated to exploring, was another factor which affected a victim’s ability to leave. | For other women, language barriers made it much more difficult to find and understand resources, or ask for help. Financial abuse, which day four of the hearings was dedicated to exploring, was another factor which affected a victim’s ability to leave. |
| Despite these barriers, counsel assisting the commissioner Joanna Davidson spoke of “community disbelief” at the number of women who stayed in abusive relationships and said it indicated much more needed to be done to educate people about the dynamics of abusive relationships. | |
| And, while it may be uncomfortable for some to fathom, some women did not want to leave their partners, the commission heard. They just wanted the violence to stop. While society would never blame a parent for not wanting to kick out a teenager who was being abusive or aggressive, the same attitude was not extended towards a woman who loved and wanted to remain with her partner. | And, while it may be uncomfortable for some to fathom, some women did not want to leave their partners, the commission heard. They just wanted the violence to stop. While society would never blame a parent for not wanting to kick out a teenager who was being abusive or aggressive, the same attitude was not extended towards a woman who loved and wanted to remain with her partner. |
| 3. The impact on children begins early, and it’s insidious | 3. The impact on children begins early, and it’s insidious |
| Two days of the first week of the commission were dedicated to examining how child victims of family violence could be identified early and how to intervene. While it was critical children be helped as soon as possible, many were left suffering, the commission heard. | Two days of the first week of the commission were dedicated to examining how child victims of family violence could be identified early and how to intervene. While it was critical children be helped as soon as possible, many were left suffering, the commission heard. |
| Related: Family violence to blame for number of Aboriginal children in care, inquiry told | Related: Family violence to blame for number of Aboriginal children in care, inquiry told |
| In Victoria alone, 29 children were murdered through family violence in the decade to 2010, the commission heard. While prevalence estimates for deliberate physical violence against children vary widely – from 5-18% of children – they suffered even when family violence was not directed at them. The child protection system is overwhelmed, and could not remain involved with families indefinitely, the commission heard. In many child deaths, it was found child protection was never involved. | In Victoria alone, 29 children were murdered through family violence in the decade to 2010, the commission heard. While prevalence estimates for deliberate physical violence against children vary widely – from 5-18% of children – they suffered even when family violence was not directed at them. The child protection system is overwhelmed, and could not remain involved with families indefinitely, the commission heard. In many child deaths, it was found child protection was never involved. |
| The commission heard from various medical experts that violence could affect a child’s physical emotional development from in the womb and into adulthood. Maternal and child health nurses in particular should receive training to identify children or pregnant women who were being abused, according to the witnesses which included doctors, social workers and psychiatrists. | The commission heard from various medical experts that violence could affect a child’s physical emotional development from in the womb and into adulthood. Maternal and child health nurses in particular should receive training to identify children or pregnant women who were being abused, according to the witnesses which included doctors, social workers and psychiatrists. |
| Witnesses also described how family violence warped children’s lives. It affected their education, placed them at higher risk of homelessness and made them targets for exploitation, including sexual abuse. Too many ended up in juvenile detention and then in the criminal justice system as adults. Some went on to become abusers, having grown up believing violence was a form of communication. | Witnesses also described how family violence warped children’s lives. It affected their education, placed them at higher risk of homelessness and made them targets for exploitation, including sexual abuse. Too many ended up in juvenile detention and then in the criminal justice system as adults. Some went on to become abusers, having grown up believing violence was a form of communication. |
| 4. Family violence is gendered. But shaming men is a simplistic approach | 4. Family violence is gendered. But shaming men is a simplistic approach |
| The commission has heard from multiple witnesses that family violence is deeply embedded in community attitudes about gender. In countries with greater gender equality, the prevalence of violence against women tended to be lower. | The commission has heard from multiple witnesses that family violence is deeply embedded in community attitudes about gender. In countries with greater gender equality, the prevalence of violence against women tended to be lower. |
| But Dr Richard Fletcher, who heads the fathers and families research program at the University of Newcastle, said focusing on punishing and shaming men for intimate partner violence led to a favouring of arms-length approaches that did not directly involve men, or help them to change. | But Dr Richard Fletcher, who heads the fathers and families research program at the University of Newcastle, said focusing on punishing and shaming men for intimate partner violence led to a favouring of arms-length approaches that did not directly involve men, or help them to change. |
| “The power analysis that says that domestic violence is simply an issue of power, and that men as a group seek to dominate women and have power over them ... I think that simplistic model is really strong in the sector, and I think it infects people’s thinking so that they don’t notice the complexity that’s in front of them,” he said. | “The power analysis that says that domestic violence is simply an issue of power, and that men as a group seek to dominate women and have power over them ... I think that simplistic model is really strong in the sector, and I think it infects people’s thinking so that they don’t notice the complexity that’s in front of them,” he said. |
| Men must be engaged in programs that supported them to change their behaviour and address mitigating factors like drug and alcohol abuse, or abuse they suffered as a child, he said. With pregnancy a time where women and children are more likely to be abused, the commission heard men known to have a history of violence should be included in antenatal classes and this support should not drop off after childbirth. | Men must be engaged in programs that supported them to change their behaviour and address mitigating factors like drug and alcohol abuse, or abuse they suffered as a child, he said. With pregnancy a time where women and children are more likely to be abused, the commission heard men known to have a history of violence should be included in antenatal classes and this support should not drop off after childbirth. |
| 5. Virtually every system or program is underfunded and overwhelmed | 5. Virtually every system or program is underfunded and overwhelmed |
| Key to the commission’s work will be untangling whether all of the systems charged with responding to family violence are inherently flawed, or just so underfunded and overwhelmed they are doomed to fail. | Key to the commission’s work will be untangling whether all of the systems charged with responding to family violence are inherently flawed, or just so underfunded and overwhelmed they are doomed to fail. |
| Related: Family violence victims can't always trust those meant to protect them, inquiry told | Related: Family violence victims can't always trust those meant to protect them, inquiry told |
| Too many community programs, whether run through hospitals or crisis services, relied on philanthropy for funding, or were funded for the short-term, the commission heard. Witnesses found it hard to name specific programs funded by the federal government that worked on family violence prevention. There was not enough money for research to find out what worked, witnesses said. | Too many community programs, whether run through hospitals or crisis services, relied on philanthropy for funding, or were funded for the short-term, the commission heard. Witnesses found it hard to name specific programs funded by the federal government that worked on family violence prevention. There was not enough money for research to find out what worked, witnesses said. |
| Government departments were also overburdened. Last year, child protection said of 65,000 reports it received, more than 14,000 came from Victoria police, the assistant director of the child protection unit, Beth Allen, told the commission. Of those from police, 0.45% resulted in a protection application, she said. | Government departments were also overburdened. Last year, child protection said of 65,000 reports it received, more than 14,000 came from Victoria police, the assistant director of the child protection unit, Beth Allen, told the commission. Of those from police, 0.45% resulted in a protection application, she said. |
| “It’s a bit like trying to find the needle in the haystack or the one child in the thousand that actually needs some form of greater protection that couldn’t be served somewhere else,” she said. | “It’s a bit like trying to find the needle in the haystack or the one child in the thousand that actually needs some form of greater protection that couldn’t be served somewhere else,” she said. |
| 6. Alcohol is an undeniable factor in family violence, but whether anything will change is another matter | 6. Alcohol is an undeniable factor in family violence, but whether anything will change is another matter |
| While some have argued making too much of the role of alcohol in family violence takes accountability away from the perpetrator, there is no denying the evidence alcohol is a strong contributing factor. | While some have argued making too much of the role of alcohol in family violence takes accountability away from the perpetrator, there is no denying the evidence alcohol is a strong contributing factor. |
| The commission heard from associate professor Peter Miller, co-director of the Violence Prevention Group, that family violence could be reduced by 10% by reforming alcohol pricing and implementing a volumetric tax on alcohol, including minimum pricing to lessen the availability of cheap wine. | The commission heard from associate professor Peter Miller, co-director of the Violence Prevention Group, that family violence could be reduced by 10% by reforming alcohol pricing and implementing a volumetric tax on alcohol, including minimum pricing to lessen the availability of cheap wine. |
| But the influence of the alcohol industry and related lobby groups was so powerful no government would take such action, he said. He and other witnesses said it was totally inappropriate the alcohol industry was advising governments. | But the influence of the alcohol industry and related lobby groups was so powerful no government would take such action, he said. He and other witnesses said it was totally inappropriate the alcohol industry was advising governments. |
| In the year to June 2014, Victoria police identified 12,686 perpetrators of family violence as being definitely affected by alcohol, and 10,558 as possibly affected, the commission heard. Prevalence increased in areas where alcohol was more widely available and advertised. | In the year to June 2014, Victoria police identified 12,686 perpetrators of family violence as being definitely affected by alcohol, and 10,558 as possibly affected, the commission heard. Prevalence increased in areas where alcohol was more widely available and advertised. |
| It is unlikely the commission will go so far as to recommend some of the measures witnesses called for, including some which would require federal government support, such as introducing minimum pricing on alcohol. The commission is making recommendations to the Victorian government only. But it’s hard to see how any family violence prevention efforts could be meaningful without making the alcohol industry more accountable. | It is unlikely the commission will go so far as to recommend some of the measures witnesses called for, including some which would require federal government support, such as introducing minimum pricing on alcohol. The commission is making recommendations to the Victorian government only. But it’s hard to see how any family violence prevention efforts could be meaningful without making the alcohol industry more accountable. |
| 7. The complexity of family violence can not be overstated | 7. The complexity of family violence can not be overstated |
| Throughout the week, the commission has heard how family violence affects women, children [including a specific look at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children], the elderly, and the vulnerable. In coming weeks, it will hear about how other groups are affected, including people in gay, lesbian and other diverse relationships, men, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders generally, those in rural and remote areas, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability. | Throughout the week, the commission has heard how family violence affects women, children [including a specific look at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children], the elderly, and the vulnerable. In coming weeks, it will hear about how other groups are affected, including people in gay, lesbian and other diverse relationships, men, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders generally, those in rural and remote areas, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability. |
| While many factors which perpetuate violence, and make it difficult to get help, are similar across all of those groups, there is no doubt each also has unique needs. The commission needs to somehow take all of these into account, and then make strategic recommendations that ensures gaps in the system affecting all of these unique kinds of relationships are addressed. | While many factors which perpetuate violence, and make it difficult to get help, are similar across all of those groups, there is no doubt each also has unique needs. The commission needs to somehow take all of these into account, and then make strategic recommendations that ensures gaps in the system affecting all of these unique kinds of relationships are addressed. |
| With all of this in mind, the commission must also wrap its head around how the police, court, child protection, health-care, crisis support, social service and education systems identify family violence victims and respond to them, and to what extent co-ordination occurs so information can be shared between those services. | With all of this in mind, the commission must also wrap its head around how the police, court, child protection, health-care, crisis support, social service and education systems identify family violence victims and respond to them, and to what extent co-ordination occurs so information can be shared between those services. |
| Workplaces and financial institutions, including banks and other lenders, can also be vital in detecting victims, offering support and implementing measures that prevent financial destitution and financial abuse, the commission has heard. | Workplaces and financial institutions, including banks and other lenders, can also be vital in detecting victims, offering support and implementing measures that prevent financial destitution and financial abuse, the commission has heard. |
| Governments in the past have tried to coordinate these systems, and there have been some improvements. But the system is still failing too many victims. This is why the public hearings have been so policy and procedure focussed. It needs to figure out how to make these services talk to each other. | Governments in the past have tried to coordinate these systems, and there have been some improvements. But the system is still failing too many victims. This is why the public hearings have been so policy and procedure focussed. It needs to figure out how to make these services talk to each other. |
| These complexities mean there is no way the commission can make recommendations which will immediately prevent all family violence, protect all victims or hold all abusers to account. But maybe it can make recommendations to get the strategic direction which is absolutely critical. | These complexities mean there is no way the commission can make recommendations which will immediately prevent all family violence, protect all victims or hold all abusers to account. But maybe it can make recommendations to get the strategic direction which is absolutely critical. |
| The national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling helpline can be reached at 1800 737 732 | The national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling helpline can be reached at 1800 737 732 |
| The men’s referral service provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals to help men take action to stop using violent and controlling behaviour: 1300 766 491 | The men’s referral service provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals to help men take action to stop using violent and controlling behaviour: 1300 766 491 |
| Seniors Rights Victoria:1300 368 821 | Seniors Rights Victoria:1300 368 821 |
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