A Domestic Violence Issue !

Marriage was supposed to be a union that lasted for a lifetime but in todays world an ever increasing number end in divorce.  It seems rare that divorcing couples conduct their separation with civility and good manners and in many cases family and friends see signs that the coming split is likely to contain an element of violence.

That violence is something that regularly concerns the police.   Many police callouts occur when neighbours report fighting next door and there is hope a police presence may induce calm.  It is a thankless task and all too often the couple reconcile and continue to live together.  At best, the police can ask the court to impose an AVO to keep the warring couple apart, but that takes time and is often ignored.

Once again such a dispute ends with murder.  Police attended an address in Sydney's west to find a deceased woman in the hallways outside her bedroom with a serious cut to her throat.  Her partner was nearby and was promptly arrested and charged with murder.  It was learned that the police had previously attended what was termed a " domestic dispute " and an AVO was in the process of being issued in a local court, and was subjected to delays.

Sadly, the young couple concerned originated from India and the woman was studying at university for a degree while her husband had part time work.  They married in India in 2016 and came to Australia two years later and had no family support in this country.  When their relationship degenerated into violence they had no other option than turn to the police for assistance.  The powers invested in the police in such instances are limited.

An AVO is intended to bring about an enforced separation of the warring couple as an emergency measure to end the violence.  That only works if it is obeyed and in many instances there is complicity in the couple setting it aside because of the financial difficulties involved.  Trying to arbitrate domestic disputes is a thankless task that wastes a high degree of police time.

Now it seems a law change is about to force victims of domestic violence to gather their own evidence.   This is being imposed without either prior warning or consultation and will make  many  relive the harrowing experiences that preceded hospital admission.

A group of community legal centres and family violence organizations has written to the government opposing this change which is being done with the aim of introducing simplicity.  It was hoped that bring about the consolidation of relief phone numbers and allow victims to choose their own counsellor.

It will do nothing to reduce the number of domestic violence situations that end with a death and a murder charge  !