Alina Thomas

The experience of family violence in childhood can have profound negative impacts that resonate across the lifespan and even intergenerational impacts (Courtois, Ford, & Cloitre, M, 2009).

The vast majority of family violence is committed by men against women (ABS, 2012). Children are very often present during family violence incidents (ABS, 2012). Family violence is recognised as a form of child abuse according to the Children Young Persons and their Families Act 1997:

“Children are exposed to family violence if they: see or hear an incident of family violence; help to clean up after an incident of family violence; or comfort or assist a family member after an incident of family violence”

Submission to the Department of Justice – Office of Strategic Legislation and Policy – Review of the Domestic Violence Orders (National Recognition) Bill 2016

Submission to the Sentencing Advisory Council – Mandatory Treatment for Sex Offenders – Research Paper Draft

Submission to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute – review of the Law Relating to Self Defence 2015

Submission to the fiscal allocation – Tasmania’s Family Violence Action Plan – September 2015

This submission is SHE’s response to the call for ideas by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) regarding the Tasmanian Family Violence Action Plan. SHE would like to thank the Department of Premier and Cabinet for allowing us to present our ideas about how the Tasmanian Family Violence Action Plan can best work to address domestic and family violence in the Tasmanian community. We are appreciative of the opportunity to make suggestions for the Action Plan, although we have some concern about the limited timeframe of two weeks for making submissions. We believe that more time is needed for all stakeholders to have the opportunity to take part in this discussion with particular emphasis given to people with lived experience of violence, both victims and perpetrators.

Domestic/family violence is a complex and serious social problem which affects individuals, families, communities, the workplace and the economy. SHE is concerned that changes to the welfare system coupled with cutting back relevant support services will ultimately lead to an increase of domestic violence and abuse. SHE would like to thank the Reference Group for allowing us to present our submission to the Review of Australia’s Welfare System.

SHE would like to thank the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs for the opportunity to provide a submission to address the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Child Support Program. SHE endorses the submissions made by Hobart Women’s Health Centre, the National Council of Women of Tasmania, Women’s Legal Services Australia, WIRE Women’s Information, and the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, particularly the Hobart Branch.

Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry – Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee – Submission to the Inquiry into Domestic Violence in Australia 2014