New DV Legislation: Amendments (Domestic Violence) Act 2004
As of 1 December 2004, Western Australia introduced changes to the Violence Restraining Order Act. These new changes will impact on how the Government and Non-Government agencies respond to victims of domestic and family violence.
The changes include:
- Police may issue on the spot Violence Restraining Orders called ‘Police Orders.’ There are types of Police Order, 24 hour and 72 hour.
- Increased penalties for assaults and breaches of Violence Restraining Orders if children are present
- Increased Police powers to enter a property if they have a reasonable suspicion that an act of domestic/family violence has been committed
- Increased penalties for breaches of Restraining Orders to $6,000 or imprisonment of 18 months, or both
- Provision of a life-long Restraining Orders in cases of violent personal offence;
- A broadening of the definition of what constitutes domestic violence, to include property damage, injury and death of pets, and emotional abuse
For information on changes Legal Aid has updated their information about DV and Violence Restraining Orders, visit the State Law Publisher Website by clicking here
For information on VROs and Police orders if you are in a family and domestic Relationship, visit the Legal Aid Website by clicking here
‘Caught in the Crossfire’-Identifying the needs of Accompanying Children from CALD Backgrounds in SAAP Services
A Research Report for the WCDFVS in partnership with the Multicultural Advocacy Support Service (project of the Women’s Health Service) and Centre for Research for Women (CROW). The six month project which commenced in January 2003 was funded $10,000 under the SAAP Research Grants from the Commonwealth Department of Family & Community Services.
The objective of the research project was to asses the needs of accompanying children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) that were victims and/or witnesses of domestic and family violence, and who utilized SAAP Services. The methodology of the research involved a literature review with a focus on data, current initiatives in the field and a survey of both state and federal policy in relation to domestic and family violence and children from CALD backgrounds.
To view the pdf click here 
Body Shop-National Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign
The Body Shop is working with not-for-profit community agencies in each State and Territory of Australia. Our aim is to raise awareness of the issue of domestic and family violence. The Body Shop hope in doing this is that they can demonstrate that this issue is an issue that needs to be owned by the whole community.
In WA, the Body Shop worked in partnership with the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence (WA) in this campaign.
Website: www.thebodyshop.com.au
Jordan Fogarty Women’s Refuge Appeal
In 2004, Scotch College Year 9 student Jordan Fogarty embarked on a campaign on domestic and family violence as part of his International Baccalaurette Middle Years Program. The project will run from July 2004-July 2005.
Website: www.jfogartywra.com.au
Annual Silent DV Memorial March
The first Annual Silent DV Memorial March was held in 1991 by a group of women survivors who were outraged because the criminal justice system failed to provide legal protection for women and children who died as result of domestic and family violence.
Every Year Western Australian domestic violence murder victims are honoured by hundreds of people walking through Perth's city streets to mark the National Domestic Violence Day.
The Silent Witnesses
In 1996, twenty six wooden life size cut outs were made into ‘The Silent Witnesses.’ They continue to be an ever present reminder to our community………………
Details of next year’s march will be posted on this website.
‘More Than A Bed’-A Campaign for better services for homeless people in WA