Exposure to domestic violence a form of child abuse
A press release on the 27th June from the Attorney General Robert McClelland and the Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor discussses the release of an Australian Criminology Report that says witnessing domestic violence should be recognised as a form of child abuse. The report is is being used to support the Gillard governement reforms in Family Violence legislation.
The report underlines the harm to children from growing up in a violent household and emphasises the need for the Gillard Government’s reforms to the family law system to protect children at risk of family violence and child abuse.
“The study finds that there is growing local and international recognition that hearing or seeing domestic violence is damaging to children and constitutes abuse. The report also looks at measures to better assist children who have grown up in violent household,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The report shows that children who are exposed to domestic violence at home can suffer many problems including acting violently themselves, as children or as they grow up.
“Domestic violence is a criminal offence, but it’s also a social problem that has long lasting effects on victims, their families and communities across Australia,” Mr O’Connor said.
The full media release is available from the Australian Intitute Crimonology.
Children’s exposure to domestic violence in Australia by Dr Kelly Richards is available at www.aic.gov.au
Further Reading: Domestic Violence as a Form of Child Abuse: Identification and Prevention
For more information or to make an appointment:
email: Claire Naidu at: cnaidu@elringtons.com.au or call Claire on: 02 6206 1309
email: Carlos Turini at: cturini@elringtons.com.au or call Carlos on: 02 6206 1300
