Recommendation 154

Make provision in its national legislation for the crime of domestic violence and take all adequate measures to eliminate it

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State
Portugal
Issue
Violence, abuse and mistreatment
Criminal justice
Domestic legal, institutional and policy frameworks
Population group
Women and girls
Children
Australian Government Agency and/or Jurisdiction
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Attorney-General's Department
• Department of Social Services
• States and territories
Australia's Response
Notes
Australia's Position

Domestic violence is criminalised in Australia, at both a federal level, and state and territory levels. All Australian governments work together to address domestic violence.
States and Territories also have specific legislation to protect victims, or persons at risk, of domestic and family violence, including:

  • Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic)
  • Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW)
  • Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (QLD)
  • Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT)
  • Family Violence Act 2016 (ACT)
  • Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA)
  • Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas)
  • Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 (SA)

Further, all states and territories have enacted legislation under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme, to ensure that domestic violence orders issued in any state or territory will be enforceable and applicable in any other state or territory.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is committed to addressing violence against women and will hold its second Summit on Reducing Violence Against Women in 2018. COAG Ministerial Councils also work to address violence against women, such as through the Family Violence Working Group of the Council of Attorneys-General and the Women's Safety Ministers Meeting.