Family Violence Report

A report on the impact of family violence on children and on parenting - acknowledging the compounding issues of mental health problems and alcohol and substance abuse, as well as indigenous and cultural considerations. The Council’s report recognises prior research relevant to the family law system, including Time for Action, the report of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The report also notes that other family law research and reviews were being undertaken at the same time as the Council’s report. These include the review, undertaken by Professor Richard Chisholm, of the laws, practices and procedures that apply in the family law courts in the context of family violence; and the Australian Institute of Family Studies’ evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms.

Particular acknowledgement is made of the work done by Ms Angela Filippello, Federal Magistrate Robyn Sexton and Ms Nicola (Nicky) Davies on the report Improving responses to family violence in the family law system: An advice on the intersection of family violence and family law issues. The contribution made by each has resulted in a valuable report that is likely to influence policy development to tackle family violence in the future.