NT: Mandatory reporting of domestic violence in the NT

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2009
NT: Mandatory reporting of domestic violence in the NT

By Tara Ravens

DARWIN, Feb 18 AAP - The Northern Territory has become the first jurisdiction in Australia
where it will be illegal not to report incidents of domestic violence.

The new laws to protect women and children were passed by the NT parliament on Wednesday
in what NT chief Minister Paul Henderson called "a significant and historical day".

It is now illegal not to report domestic violence if a woman's life is believed to be in danger.

Police must also be contacted if a person has caused or is about to cause serious harm
to another in a domestic relationship.

Mr Henderson said the NT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to consider mandatory
reporting under the Domestic and Family Violence Act.

"Domestic violence tears families apart, and women and children are often the most
vulnerable," Mr Henderson said.

"Enough is enough ... this will not be tolerated anymore."

About half of reported assaults in the NT each year involve violence against women,
with almost two thirds of these alcohol-related.

Almost 3,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to police in the 2007-08 financial
year resulting in 2,594 Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs).

More than 1,800 DVOs were subsequently breached.

But some MPs questioned whether mandatory reporting could do more harm than good, particularly
in small communities.

"Are we going to make it worse when someone tells the police this is happening and
they are threatened with violence (as well)?" said the independent member for Nelson,
Gerry Wood.

The Country Liberals' Jodeen Carney supported the legislation but said it did not go
far enough because it restricted reporting to the threat of "serious harm".

"It provides the ultimate out ... I didn't hit her hard, she wasn't bleeding," she said.

NT Minister for Children and Families Malarndirri McCarthy said the amendment to the
Act was designed to "change society's attitudes".

It was also important for children to know that if their "mother or auntie won't speak
up for themselves others can", she said.

Several domestic attacks made headlines in the NT late last year, including that of
a man charged with murdering his wife.

A 35-year-old woman was also stabbed in the head while a 16-year-old promised bride,
who had tried to kill herself on two occasions, was assaulted by a 50-year-old man.

The NT Government will commit $15 million over four years to support more crisis accommodation,
increased counselling services and public education campaigns about the new law.

AAP tr/ss/de

KEYWORD: VIOLENCE

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