MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has called on the local community to help shape domestic and family violence (DFV) reform in NSW to better target perpetrators and improve support for victims.
Mr Marshall said the state government was developing a DFV Blueprint to enhance the response to DFV and public feedback is vital to how the government responds.
“DFV services play a critical role in helping keep our most vulnerable families safe. We know that having the right support in place is vital when victims make the move to escape violence so it’s important that we get it right,” Mr Marshall said.
“This eight week public consultation period invites feedback from anyone who would like to contribute to this important conversation, including members of the public and anyone who may have accessed or provided domestic and family violence-related services.
“By participating in this public consultation you will help us gain a better understanding of what works in the current service system, what doesn’t work and where there are any gaps.”
The government has achieved significant DFV reforms this year including allowing video evidence in courts; updating the mandatory NSW 7-10 PD/H/PE syllabus to explicitly include domestic violence; expanding Safer Pathway to a further four sites; funding community based Men’s Behaviour Change Programs and introducing plain English ADVOs.
Mr Marshall said these reforms were further supported by a $60 million package announced in October that targeted perpetrators and supports people who experience DFV. Inverell was a beneficiary of funding from this package.
“A comprehensive toolkit to help guide group discussions and submissions is available on the Have Your Say website,” Mr Marshall said.
The consultation is now open and closes at 5pm on Friday, 5 February 2016.
To join the conversation and to download the community workshop toolkit visit http://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/consultations/domestic-and-family-violence-response/?date=2015-12-04&id=1367