Family violence policy in Victoria is a comprehensive set of regulations and laws designed to protect victims of family violence It seeks to create a safe, supportive, and non-violent environment for victims and their families, and to ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. The policy seeks to reduce the prevalence of family violence in the state.
Victoria is the first state in Australia to develop a comprehensive family violence policy, which was implemented in 2011. The policy applies to all family violence incidents and contains provisions to ensure protection and safety of all persons involved, including victims, children, family members and other related individuals.
It covers a number of areas, including the provision of early intervention and support to victims, the provision of victim-centred legal and non-legal services to families affected by family violence, and the implementation of measures to hold perpetrators of family violence accountable for their actions.
Five of the best examples of family violence policy in Victoria include:
1. Mandatory Safety Action Meetings: These meetings involve the perpetrator, the victim, and other relevant stakeholders such as family members, representatives from the police, lawyers, and support workers, to discuss the course of action that should be taken to protect the victim and family.
2. Family Violence Safety Notice: This notice requires the perpetrator to leave the premises and refrain from contacting the victim and other family members. It also prohibits the perpetrator from possessing firearms.
3. Family Violence Order: This order prohibits the perpetrator from engaging in prescribed behaviour such as contacting the victim, or entering a place or area. It can also impose restrictions such as attending counselling or taking part in an appropriate treatment program.
4. Family Violence Safety Notice: This notice allows a victim to be notified if the perpetrator attempts to contact them or otherwise harass them. This notice is intended to help protect victims of family violence in Victoria.
5. Family Violence Interagency Protocols: These protocols ensure that agencies throughout the state are working together to address family violence. The protocols outline common processes and procedures that are to be followed by all agencies and include the involvement of police, family services, and the courts, if necessary.
Overall, the family violence policy in Victoria is designed to protect victims of family violence and hold perpetrators accountable. By providing these protections, it ensures that all family members are safe and supported and that perpetrators are held to account for their actions.