The summits brought together community members, academics and professionals to discuss and debate key issues pertaining to domestic and family violence. Delegates addressed topics including a lack of community understanding of domestic and family violence, the need for education, the role of the media, language, the importance of an integrated response, and ways to improve the justice response. SUMMIT PROCEEDINGS FACILITATED BY OPENING ADDRESS KEY NOTE SPEECH PRESENTERS PANEL DISCUSSION KAY MCGRATH HONOURABLE QUENTIN BRYCE AD CVO MATT WORDSWORTH THEME 1: CULTURE AND ATTITUDES What can we do to engage the whole community in preventing and responding to domestic and family violence? Ms Diane Mangan, Director, DVConnect Mr Paul Syvret, Assistant Editor, The Courier Mail Mr George Theo, Chief Executive Officer, Unitywater Dr Shannon Spriggs-Murdoch, Director, Mentors in Violence Prevention Program, Griffith University The attitude of individuals, communities and the broader society towards domestic and family violence can create a culture which justifies, excuses, trivialises or even encourages domestic and family violence, or one which clearly condemns it. Education, awareness campaigns and media reports are influential in shaping attitudes and public understanding of domestic and family violence and their willingness to intervene. Domestic and family violence and its impact often continues into the workplace. Employers can therefore play a significant role in ensuring adequate support is available to those affected, raising awareness and ensuring that proper action is taken. What can we do to bring about changes in culture and attitudes and put a stop to domestic and family violence? This session is an opportunity to discuss ways to foster attitudes and a culture that does not tolerate domestic and family violence and encourages strong preventative action.
THEME 2: INTEGRATED RESPONSES What is the most effective way to provide joined-up services to victims and perpetrators of domestic and family violence? PRESENTERS PANEL DISCUSSION Ms Rosemary O Malley, Manager, Mens Domestic Violence Program, Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Sergeant Ash Dubbelman, Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator, Queensland Police Service Ms Catherine Hand, Regional Manager, South Coast Region, Queensland Corrective Services Ms Ann Andrews, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Ms Shirley Slann, North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service Mt Isa It is widely recognised that effectively responding to the diverse needs of clients in a timely and effective manner requires, at minimum, the coordination of, and optimally, the integration of, a broad range of service responses. At the heart of this effort is the recognition that a victim of domestic and family violence should not have to bear the burden of navigating a network of services, repeatedly detailing their traumatic experiences. Equally, integration can increase the effectiveness of programs to change the behaviour of perpetrators of violence, to engage with victims to ensure a continued focus on victim safety, and to ensure perpetrator accountability. However, creating an environment in which services are willing and able to work together across differing organisational cultures, resources, capacities, operational systems and philosophical approaches can be a challenge. What do we need to do to improve responses to domestic and family violence incidents? This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of developing and maintaining an integrated service system for domestic and family violence.
THEME 3: JUSTICE RESPONSES What forms of innovation should be considered to ensure effective justice responses to domestic and family violence? PRESENTERS PANEL DISCUSSION Ms Angela Lynch, Lawyer, Women s Legal Service Dr Jacoba Brasch, Barrister-at-Law, Bar Association of Queensland Ms Michelle Emeleus, Principal Solicitor, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service Magistrate Annette Hennessy, Maroochydore Ms Zoe Rathus, Senior Lecturer, Griffith University Law School Police and courts provide a critical frontline response to domestic and family violence. The legislative framework that guides this response is central to conveying a strong message to the public about violence within the community. At the same time, the operation of the justice system can result in unintended consequences and may prevent or deter victims from accessing protection. The current pro-investigation approach aims to balance civil and criminal law responses in order to protect victims against further violence and hold perpetrators to account. Is there a more effective approach? This session will discuss what alternatives could be considered to improve justice responses to domestic and family violence in Queensland.
BRISBANE SUMMIT - KE Y ME SSA GES A ND OUTC OMES THEME 1 - CULTU RE A ND ATTITUDE S There is a need to change community attitudes of civil inattention to being aware of those around you. There is also a need to change community attitudes towards women. The system that is designed to protect, prevents open discussion in the media. Need to be able to equip the media to openly and honestly tell the story to shine a light. To achieve this, there is a need for statistics to accurately tell the story and to link these numbers back to the lives of everyday people. Should there be training for journalists? How can the media and academics work better together? Awareness campaigns in the workplace are simply the right thing to do - Making a difference starts with you. What is going to motivate the organisation to change? Zero tolerance in the workplace is important, and should extend to encouraging a culture of zero harm in the home. Every single person needs to take responsibility to create change why not you? A system of attitudes, beliefs and behaviours is required. People need the opportunity to talk about why they do nothing. There is a need to reframe the idea of intervention it is not just physical action, it s about expressing concern, talking about gender roles, creating a distraction. Use of language is vital for changing community attitudes. One word can have powerful undertones. Is the word domestic the most appropriate term? it implies that it is a private issue. We need to engage the whole of our community give people alternative options. Education is vital to move away from the view that its Not in my neighbourhood, not in my town, not in my school. Every cause needs a champion who are the champions for domestic violence? What role can advocacy groups play as intermediaries? Statistics are critically important, but we also need to humanise the numbers tell the human stories about perpetrators, the victims and service providers.
BRISBANE SUMMIT - KE Y ME SSA GES A ND OUTC OMES THEME 2 I NTE GRA TED RE SPONSE S (C ONTINUED) Violence in relationships needs to be taken as seriously as any other form of violence. An integrated response aims to enhance the safety of women and children. She gets to choose what is going to work best for her. Perpetrators need to be held accountable. An integrated response needs commitment to continual improvement - challenging each other about how a response is framed. What does an integrated response look like? A co-ordinated specialist response Real-time collaboration Works in a common way for a common cause Allows an agency to focus on doing what it does best Involves formal referral pathways and trust in these referrals Focus on providing solutions Allows for validation of risk and ensures adequate protection of victims. How can we do it better? Consider mandatory referral rather than consent-based Free flow of information accurate and timely Men s programs should be available state-wide Perpetrators need to clearly be held to account Stop the default view that the women could have avoided the issue Need to assist perpetrators and victims You make the choice to respond with violence or you walk away from it Safety plan negotiated with aggrieved and respondent Talk the language of the men Education about healthy relationships, treating everyone with respect Focus on the behaviour There are consequences for actions.
BRISBANE SUMMIT - KE Y ME SSA GES A ND OUTC OMES THEME 3 - JUSTICE RESPONSE S Our approach has decriminalised domestic violence. The law provides a powerful symbolic message about what society considers acceptable. It is one tool of a number of tools that should be used as a response. Judicial officers apply the law within its framework. What needs to be done differently? Wider integrated community response Specialised domestic violence criminal court Support for the victim before and during court processes Specialised magistrates Specialised police units Inconsistent police responses requires scrutiny and supervision Use of a parliamentary committee to oversee implementation of a domestic violence plan to report and track progress Use of the term domestic and family lessens the importance of what is happening We need to re-think criminal law is there a need for a specialised crime? Keeping the family safe in their home Need for early intervention provision of safety and support services There needs to be a message of accountability from the first time in court Provision of early advice and assistance Coordinated information and specialised prosecution which is responsive to changing needs of aggrieved.