Positive moves from forum

ORGANISERS have rated a forum on family violence as extremely positive on all fronts.
The forum was organised jointly by Cardinia Shire Council and the City of Casey with Victoria Police.
More than 200 people attended the event last Thursday at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham.
Residents were treated to a host of speakers including MC Phil Cleary, former Family Violence Commissioner with the Law Reform Commission Judith Pierce, Sunshine Family Violence Court Magistrate Noreen Toohey, and former victim and now family violence awareness educator Kate O’ Callaghan.
The forum focused on recent changes in the family violence arena, including how the police and court respond to family violence incidents.
Mr Cleary, a legendary Victorian Football Association player and ex-Wills MP, spoke about the subject of family violence and the effect it had on his life since the tragic death of his sister Vicki in 1987, and his subsequent long and ardent journey advocating law reform and legal justice.
Mr Cleary spoke about the prevalent use of the ‘provocation’ defence and subsequent changes in the Criminal Justice System, vital to changes in attitudes, feelings and judgements on the issue.
“That is the quintessential essence of the problem – the provocation defence,” he said.
“The bright side of all this is that we have come a long way.
“The challenge is to all men out there – we all have a role to play, including the police, public and media. But we have made a big step forward. It is inspiring.”
Ms Pierce provided details of the final report on family violence and of the extensive research undertaken over the past two and a half years, with input from thousands of people.
She outlined the six major areas for reform including:
– Protection in crisis situations;
– The type of response by police and the courts;
– Consistent and effective outcomes;
– Training and assistance for people in courts and in family violence arena;
– More effective protection orders; and
– The need for safe and accessible courts for victims.
“In advocating for change we are seeking an intelligent and perceptive flexibility in the way we do our job,” she said. “In 10 years’ time we will see a system with that capacity.”
Ms Toohey outlined the changes in the Sunshine Family Violence Division and the steps taken in the pilot, covering Melbourne, Sunshine and Frankston, to encourage change in the family violence arena.
“It is critical that the men have services provided to initiate change,” she said. “The defendants need help too and the new system provides counselling and advice for all parties and with new laws we can ensure that this happens.”
Ms O’Callaghan received a standing ovation after her speech, which recalled her personal “roundabout of abuse” and her treatment by the police and the criminal justice system.
“The justice system let me down offering more sympathy for my abuser,” she said.
“In his summing up the judge talked about how long (the abuser) had to wait for the court decision and plied sympathy on him for that.
“None was given to me for the fact that he was out and about for three years while I lived in fear.”
Ms O’Callaghan spoke of her new life and her desire to see change in the system.
“Family violence is a big issue but we must ensure that it is not a ‘deadly’ issue,” she said.