Policy Submission: Australian Law Reform Commission Family Violence Inquiry

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The Julia Farr Association makes this submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Family Violence Inquiry. Our submission includes commentary on some of the questions and proposals highlighted in the Consultation Paper.

Opening Comments

The Julia Farr Association supports the Australian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into family violence which will “consider what, if any, improvements could be made to relevant legal frameworks to protect the safety of women and children”

• Include consideration of the particular vulnerability of people living with disability (including adult men) to family violence (and mindful of the prevalence of disability in Australia). However, the Julia Farr Association believes that this inquiry also needs to:
• Acknowledge that informal supporters such as family are themselves vulnerable to a loss of judgement and control leading to violence, in situations where society’s support systems are failing people living with disability and their families;
• Consider a common national approach that takes a preventative, proactive, early approach to situations where such families are at risk of violence, and that such legislation connects well with disability-specific legislation and support arrangements.