Victoria Considers Indefinite Family Violence Bans by Police

Victoria Police Minister Anthony Carbines is considering making family violence safety notices indefinite, allowing police to ban alleged perpetrators from their homes without a court hearing. The proposed change aims to close loopholes and provide further protection for victims of family violence.

Why this matters: This reform has the potential to significantly impact the lives of thousands of family violence victims, providing them with greater protection and support. It also highlights the need for governments to continually assess and improve their responses to family violence, which remains a pervasive and devastating issue in many communities.

Currently, police can issue family violence safety notices, but they must take the matter to court within 14 days for a magistrate to decide whether to grant an intervention order. Victoria Police issue approximately 31 family violence safety notices daily, with around 17,500 breaches of notices or family violence intervention orders annually. Breaching a family violence safety notice can result in up to five-year jail terms.

Minister Carbines stated, "Victoria Police have outlined how we could do that (make safety notices enduring), and it's on the table as a very serious consideration." He added, "We need to consult with victims, we need to understand what they make of these changes, but it's pretty clear - given the (police's) massive volume of work around family violence that they do every day - that enduring family violence safety notices are a further protection that support our victims."

The proposed change is part of the state government's efforts to tackle family violence, which includes considering the use of ankle monitors for offenders. The current system allows police to issue family violence safety notices without family members' consent, which can include conditions that alleged perpetrators stay out of their family homes until a magistrate orders otherwise.

Jenny McNaughton, acting chief executive of Berry Street, a family violence service, expressed support for the potential reform, saying, "Asking someone who has just experienced an act of family violence that requires a police response to then go back to court and ask to be protected again is unacceptable." Victim-survivor Anna Coutts-Trotter, founder of Survivor Hub, also welcomed measures that prevent people from having to go through the court experience if it's not something they want to do.

The Victorian Opposition has indicated it is open to the reform, with Deputy Opposition leader David Southwick saying the government needs to explore everything possible. However, victim-survivors and advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the potential reform, highlighting the need for consultation and consideration of the impact on marginalized groups.

The proposed reform to make family violence safety notices indefinite is a significant step in Victoria's efforts to address family violence and provide greater protection for victims. As Minister Carbines emphasized, consultation with victims and understanding their perspectives on the changes is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of this measure in supporting those affected by family violence.

Key Takeaways

• Victoria Police Minister considers making family violence safety notices indefinite.
• Current notices require court hearing within 14 days; proposed change aims to close loopholes.
• Victoria Police issue 31 family violence safety notices daily, with 17,500 breaches annually.
• Proposed reform aims to provide greater protection for victims and support for marginalized groups.
• Consultation with victims and advocacy groups is crucial for the reform's effectiveness.