Reforming the Family Violence System in Victoria

A report developed by the Statewide Steering Committee to Reduce Family Violence

When the Victorian government established the Statewide Steering Committee to Reduce Family Violence in 2002, a community and government partnership, it set it a specific task to provide advice on the development of a multi-agency and integrated response to family violence. Similar models, operating in the UK, Canada, the US and in the ACT, have proven effective in addressing family violence.

Members of the Statewide Steering Committee to Reduce Family Violence include the police, government departments, family violence services, the courts, peak bodies for family violence - DV Vic and No to Violence; Centres Against Sexual Assault, legal services and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

The reform proposals included in the report have been developed in the context of the Victorian Government Women's Safety Strategy, the five year whole of Government strategy bringing 11 Ministers and their respective Departments together to work within a single policy framework to reduce both the level and fear of violence against women.

Drawing on the accumulated knowledge and practice experience of its members, the Committee has outlined in the report broad recommendations for system reform to meet specific conditions and historical developments in Victoria.

The Report was provided to government in early 2005, and the recommendations informed the budget investment of the $35.1 million over 4 years outlined in A Fairer Victoria.

These publications can also be accessed through the website www.women.vic.gov.au.


Download Reforming the Family Violence System in Victoria [PDF 850kb 64 pages]