THE state government is considering establishing a specialist court to deal with family violence. Setting up the dedicated court was one of 17 recommendations handed down on Tuesday in an internal review of the government's Safe at Home legislation. Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin vowed to act on each of the suggestions, and has signed off on her department and the chief magistrate exploring the dynamics and costs of the court. "It could be set up differently in taking into consideration the concerns that there often are about victims and offenders coming into contact within a family violence court," Dr Goodwin said. "There might be a dedicated or specialist magistrate who deals with family violence cases." Dr Goodwin said the government would examine similar models interstate, including Western Australia, which moved to axe domestic violence courts this year after deciding they had failed to reduce re-offending rates and protect victims. "We really do need to do the work to ensure this is a path we should be heading down," Dr Goodwin said. Other recommendations centred on improving police responses, dealing with perpetrators, providing services for children and young people affected and better data collection. The report found the "pro-arrest, pro-prosecution" focus of Safe at Home was considered a key strength, with the majority of stakeholders believing the legislation was successful in improving the short-term safety and security of victims. But more than half of stakeholders identified the lack of offender interventions aimed at changing behaviours as a major barrier to achieving long-term safety. The lack of prevention and early intervention programs to reduce family violence was also seen as a major factor driving family violence in Tasmania. Almost half of those surveyed identified gaps in services for children who have experienced family violence.
THE state government is considering establishing a specialist court to deal with family violence.
Setting up the dedicated court was one of 17 recommendations handed down on Tuesday in an internal review of the government's Safe at Home legislation.
Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin vowed to act on each of the suggestions, and has signed off on her department and the chief magistrate exploring the dynamics and costs of the court.
"It could be set up differently in taking into consideration the concerns that there often are about victims and offenders coming into contact within a family violence court," Dr Goodwin said.
"There might be a dedicated or specialist magistrate who deals with family violence cases."
Dr Goodwin said the government would examine similar models interstate, including Western Australia, which moved to axe domestic violence courts this year after deciding they had failed to reduce re-offending rates and protect victims.
"We really do need to do the work to ensure this is a path we should be heading down," Dr Goodwin said.
Other recommendations centred on improving police responses, dealing with perpetrators, providing services for children and young people affected and better data collection.
The report found the "pro-arrest, pro-prosecution" focus of Safe at Home was considered a key strength, with the majority of stakeholders believing the legislation was successful in improving the short-term safety and security of victims.
But more than half of stakeholders identified the lack of offender interventions aimed at changing behaviours as a major barrier to achieving long-term safety.
The lack of prevention and early intervention programs to reduce family violence was also seen as a major factor driving family violence in Tasmania.
Almost half of those surveyed identified gaps in services for children who have experienced family violence.
