Domestic Violence Offences
Domestic Violence Offences
Domestic violence (DV) is a significant focus for Australian criminal law, with ongoing reforms to enhance victim protection and offender accountability.
Legal Framework: DV offences encompass physical violence, threats, stalking, coercive control, and property damage. Many jurisdictions have introduced or proposed laws specifically criminalising coercive control.
Victim Support: Reforms have improved access to victim support, including easier tenancy termination, financial assistance, and better information sharing between agencies. Police have expanded powers for immediate intervention and protection orders.
Recent Developments: The ACT and NSW have enacted laws to criminalise coercive control. Other reforms include enhanced disclosure obligations during prosecution and victim-friendly evidence procedures.
References:
- Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW).
- Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022 (NSW).
- ACT Government: Reforms for sexual, family and personal violence.
- Australian Law Reform Commission: Family Violence.