‘Eyes on men’: Changing responses to domestic, family and sexual violence

The Commission provides annual reports on the progress of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children by 2032. 

In the year to June, 43 women were victims of intimate partner homicide, 9 more than during the previous year. 

In her report, Cronin says every life lost is one too many. “Every person who lives with the ongoing impact of domestic, family or sexual violence requires us to strive to do better,” she says. 

The report calls for more options for those at risk or engaging in violence to get help. It says there should be a set of national standards for ‘Men’s Behaviour Change Programs’, the most common form of intervention. 

Noting the increase in homicides, the report says better risk assessment is needed in all parts of the system. It notes that in most cases, perpetrators are known to police, courts or the child protection system. “This shows the important role that the justice system can play in identifying high-risk individuals and preventing deaths,” says the report. 

Cronin noted that there were encouraging signs from Victoria, in the practice of information sharing and risk assessment. 

The report also urges governments to prioritise data, siting a lack of evidence about the pathways in and out of violence and what steps help to reduce violence. 

Speaking at the National Press Club, Cronin referred to the example of five women and their children who she said had be flown out of Cairns in Queensland over a period of time, because of one man’s behaviour. 

“Much of our system … is designed around eyes on women,” she said. 

“Men … if they put up their hand and say I’m concerned about my behaviour … there’s not much around to respond to them.” 

Cronin said there needs to be a different focus for high-risk teams. 

“Where we have seen some of the best successes in keeping women safe … it’s when they know and they’ve got an eye on the man.” 

“We do risk assessments on women. We talk about, how do we help manage women’s risk and safety? We don’t do risk assessments in the same way about men and their behaviour,” she said. 

Meanwhile, the federal government says it is introducing the next stage of reforms to the family law system, aimed at making it simpler, safer and fairer. 

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus says The Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 will specify the approach a court will take in deciding the division of property and finances for separating families.  

The economic impact of family violence will also be considered, as well as the care and housing needs of children. 

The changes will also expand the court’s ability to use less adversarial approaches to proceedings.