Researching family violence. Briefing Paper no.2 June 2006.

Abstract

The Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) publishes regular Briefing Papers on topics related to the Institute's research program. I am very pleased to announce the publication of our second Briefing Paper that addresses research in the field of family violence. TILES is well placed to observe and evaluate a range of social and institutional changes, program components, client groups, and communities influenced by the introduction of the Tasmanian Government's Safe at Home initiative during 2004-5.In this Briefing Paper, Romy Winter, a PhD student in TILES, canvasses some of the research issues surrounding family violence and the programs that have been developed to address the problem. Roberta Julian, Director While family violence is a pervasive and complex problem that affects millions of people across the globe, the issue is particularly topical in Tasmania at the current time, with new family violence legislation proclaimed in 2005, accompanied by a radical revamp of policies which have changed the way police, the courts and the health and community welfare sectors respond to family violence incidents. The policy has been modelled on best practice policies and programs in the USA, the UK and New Zealand. The resulting changes to police response, prosecutions and clinical services have proved to be controversial, attracting significant debate about responses to family violence among various sectors of the community. This paper outlines the changes which have occurred in Tasmania as well as providing summaries of the most recent thinking about issues surrounding family violence.