POLICY
Western Australia
Domestic and family violence reform and service provision in Western Australia is governed by the WA Strategic Plan for Family and Domestic Violence 2009 – 2013.
This Plan focuses on providing better integrated service responses to families who find themselves victims of domestic and family violence. The Key Strategies included in the State Strategic Plan that aim to support the integrated response are to:
Family and Domestic Violence Strategy to 2022. Click here to Download 'Western Australian Family & Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022'.
This Plan focuses on providing better integrated service responses to families who find themselves victims of domestic and family violence. The Key Strategies included in the State Strategic Plan that aim to support the integrated response are to:
- Strengthen community understanding and awareness that family and domestic violence is not acceptable;
- Focus family and domestic violence prevention and early intervention initiatives on children, young people, health and respectful relationships;
- Provide an accessible, integrated 24 hour response throughout the State that includes crisis and post crisis intervention; and
- Ensure that a range of evidence based programs and interventions for perpetrators of family and domestic violence are provided.
Family and Domestic Violence Strategy to 2022. Click here to Download 'Western Australian Family & Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022'.
Australia Wide
In March of 2009 the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children released Time for Action: The National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, 2009 – 2021. This Plan focuses on strategies and actions for prevention, early intervention, improved service delivery and justice with a view that no woman should be a victim of sexual assault or domestic and family violence. And that no woman should fear for her safety at home, at work or in her community.
To view the Time for Action report and other papers produced by the National Council please Click Here to visit the FaHCSIA website.
The Federal Labor Government has released the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022, which was endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments on the 15th of February 2011. This Plan provides the framework for action by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to reduce violence against women and their children.
Informed by the National Council’s Plan the vision of the National Plan is that:
“Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities.”
To measure the success of this vision, governments have set the following target for: “a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children” during the next 12 years, from 2010 to 2022.
The National Plan is based around six national outcomes, these are:
Each of these outcomes has a list of strategies and key actions linked to them. For further information please Click Here to see the Federal Labor Government National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022.
To view the Time for Action report and other papers produced by the National Council please Click Here to visit the FaHCSIA website.
The Federal Labor Government has released the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022, which was endorsed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments on the 15th of February 2011. This Plan provides the framework for action by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments to reduce violence against women and their children.
Informed by the National Council’s Plan the vision of the National Plan is that:
“Australian women and their children live free from violence in safe communities.”
To measure the success of this vision, governments have set the following target for: “a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children” during the next 12 years, from 2010 to 2022.
The National Plan is based around six national outcomes, these are:
- Outcome One: Communities are safe and free from violence;
- Outcome Two: Relationships are respectful;
- Outcome Three: Indigenous communities are strengthened;
- Outcome Four: Services meet the needs of women and their children experiencing violence;
- Outcome Five: Justice responses are effective; and
- Outcome Six: Perpetrators stop their violence and are held to account.
Each of these outcomes has a list of strategies and key actions linked to them. For further information please Click Here to see the Federal Labor Government National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022.
Code of Practice for Women''s Refuges in WA, 2016
About the Code of Practice In 2009, a Coronial Inquest was held into the death of Andrea Louise Pickett.
In response to the failings of the emergency response at the time, a number of recommendations were made to ensure the safety of victims of domestic and family violence. One of the recommendations made by the Coroner related to the provision of immediate secure accommodation: "The Department for Child Protection review the accommodation available to victims of domestic and family violence to ensure that in the case of women with children who are the subject of threats of extreme violence secure accommodation can be provided for those women and for their young children. In cases where it is likely that without such accommodation being provided, the women or children may be murdered, procedures should be in place to ensure that there can be immediate provision of a place of safety.
” As a result of this Inquest, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support (CPFS) has been working in collaboration with the Women’s Council for Family and Domestic Violence Services (WA) (the Council) to review the domestic violence sector including the development of a more integrated and responsive service system in the Perth Metropolitan Area.
Click here to Download "The Code of Practice for Women's Refuges WA, 2016"
Legislation Violence Restraining Orders Act
Key Changes to Violence Restraining Order Laws in WA 2012
The main piece of legislation relating to domestic and family violence in Western Australia is the Restraining Orders Act 1997. Click Here to view a copy of the Restraining Orders Act 1997.
For further information on applying for a Violence Restraining Order please Click Here to visit the Magistrates Court of WA website.
For further information on applying for a Violence Restraining Order please Click Here to visit the Magistrates Court of WA website.
The Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913
Domestic and family violence is a range of behaviors designed to control a person causing fear, these behaviors can be both criminal and non-criminal with the laws in each State and Territory differing in this respect. Although only some aspects of domestic and family violence are criminal offences, any behavior that causes the victim to live in fear is insufferable.
The Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 sets out behaviors that are defined as criminal offenses in Western Australia and can be responded to by the WA Police. If a person commits a criminal offense the Police are required to investigate and press charges against the offender.
Click Here to view a copy of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913.
For further information on criminal responses to domestic and family violence offenses please Click Here to visit the WA Police website.
The Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 sets out behaviors that are defined as criminal offenses in Western Australia and can be responded to by the WA Police. If a person commits a criminal offense the Police are required to investigate and press charges against the offender.
Click Here to view a copy of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913.
For further information on criminal responses to domestic and family violence offenses please Click Here to visit the WA Police website.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR: Working towards the elimination of Family and Domestic Violence in WA
A MEASURE OF TRUST: How WA Police evaluates the effectiveness of its response to Family and Domestic Violence
Investigation into issues associated with violence restraining orders and their relationship with DFV Fatalities
WA LAW REFORM COMMISSION: Enhancing laws concerning Domestic and Family Violence
20th Anniversary of the Gender Bias Taskforce, Women's Lawyers of WA
Safer Families, Safer Communities Kimberley Families Violence Regional Plan 2015-2020
A MEASURE OF TRUST: How WA Police evaluates the effectiveness of its response to Family and Domestic Violence
Investigation into issues associated with violence restraining orders and their relationship with DFV Fatalities
WA LAW REFORM COMMISSION: Enhancing laws concerning Domestic and Family Violence
20th Anniversary of the Gender Bias Taskforce, Women's Lawyers of WA
Safer Families, Safer Communities Kimberley Families Violence Regional Plan 2015-2020
