Chess
Patron with Honors
Have a close read of new domestic laws coming into effect this week in Australia - it's now domestic violence to prevent a person from contact with or cut people off from their family. I'd reckon they may feel a little ill in the HCOs of ANZO pretty soon.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-03/new-domestic-violence-laws-target-emotional-abuse/4049150
New domestic violence laws target emotional abuse
Updated June 03, 2012 11:56:31
Related Story: Domestic violence costs $13bn a year
Map: Australia
New domestic violence laws will make it an offence to harm pets, cut people off from their family or withhold financial support.
The changes to the Family Law Act were passed in December but come into effect this week.
They expand the definition of domestic violence to more than just physical harm, such as denying a family member financial autonomy or the money required to meet reasonable living expenses.
The changes also include emotional abuse and preventing a person from maintaining contact with family, friends or their culture.
The Salvation Army's Major Andrew Craib says the changes recognise that it is not just physical acts of violence that can harm children.
"They might see a perpetrator constantly putting people down. Often people hear that enough and they begin to believe that for themselves and that's unacceptable in our society," he said.
Mr Craib also says the changes are a reflection of society's rejection of domestic violence.
He hopes the changes will encourage more victims to seek help.
"They're more likely to feel now that somebody has an understanding of the circumstances that they're putting up with," he said.
"I would hope that that gives them a bit of confidence and reassurance that people are actually going to hear them and believe them and that some action is going to come about that's going to bring both their safety and that of their children."
Topics:domestic-violence, law-crime-and-justice, australia
First posted June 03, 2012 11:06:47
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-03/new-domestic-violence-laws-target-emotional-abuse/4049150
New domestic violence laws target emotional abuse
Updated June 03, 2012 11:56:31
Related Story: Domestic violence costs $13bn a year
Map: Australia
New domestic violence laws will make it an offence to harm pets, cut people off from their family or withhold financial support.
The changes to the Family Law Act were passed in December but come into effect this week.
They expand the definition of domestic violence to more than just physical harm, such as denying a family member financial autonomy or the money required to meet reasonable living expenses.
The changes also include emotional abuse and preventing a person from maintaining contact with family, friends or their culture.
The Salvation Army's Major Andrew Craib says the changes recognise that it is not just physical acts of violence that can harm children.
"They might see a perpetrator constantly putting people down. Often people hear that enough and they begin to believe that for themselves and that's unacceptable in our society," he said.
Mr Craib also says the changes are a reflection of society's rejection of domestic violence.
He hopes the changes will encourage more victims to seek help.
"They're more likely to feel now that somebody has an understanding of the circumstances that they're putting up with," he said.
"I would hope that that gives them a bit of confidence and reassurance that people are actually going to hear them and believe them and that some action is going to come about that's going to bring both their safety and that of their children."
Topics:domestic-violence, law-crime-and-justice, australia
First posted June 03, 2012 11:06:47