Victims would be able to ask about partners’ criminal history under Labor, Liberal plans to combat domestic violence

VICTIMS of family violence would be able to call a dedicated crisis line at all hours and ask authorities about their partner’s criminal history under election pledges from the men vying to be Premier.

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VICTIMS of family violence would be able to call a dedicated crisis line at all hours and ask authorities about their partner’s criminal history under election pledges from the men vying to be Premier.

Following sustained lobbying from frontline workers, the Labor and Liberal leaders have pledged funding to ensure trained specialists can answer calls to the domestic violence crisis line 24-hours a day.

On International Women’s Day, Jay Weatherill and Steven Marshall have also committed to trialling a scheme developed in the UK, which enables people to ask authorities about the criminal history of their partner if they are afraid of their behaviour.

The NSW Government began a trial in April, 2016.

Labor says it would begin a trial within six months of next Saturday’s election, at a cost of $600,000. The Liberals say law changes would be needed before starting an uncosted trial by the end of the year.

The Advertiser has launched the #Engage4ChangeSA campaign to push for policy commitments from our political leaders ahead of the March 17 state election.

The leaders also promised to improve data collection and toughen penalties for abusers who repeatedly breach court orders requiring rehabilitation.

Labor would lift the maximum penalty to $10,000 or two years in jail. The Liberal maximum is being considered.

Many of the pledges respond to a list of funding priorities identified by victims and advocates, published in The Advertiser on Monday.

In particular, the Women’s Safety Service said it needed an extra $400,000 a year to cover the domestic violence crisis hotline 24/7.

It receives 80 to 110 calls a day, during business hours. At other times callers are diverted to a homelessness hotline.

Opposition spokeswoman for human services Michelle Lensink with SA Liberal leader Steven Marshall announce the plan to combat domestic violence. Picture: AAP / Tracey Nearmy

Premier Jay Weatherill. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Labor will deliver the hotline an extra $380,000 a year and the Liberals $400,000.

At least 35 South Australians have died as a result of family violence since mid-2010 and about 280 families — including infants — need motel or shelter accommodation.

Mr Marshall has promised to spend $9 million on building, refurbishing or expanding crisis housing across the state.

He said a Liberal Government would open a 20-bed home in southern Adelaide and two 10-bed shelters in regional areas, within two years.

Non-government organisations would be able to apply for up to $5 million in interest-free, 20-year loans to expand or upgrade their facilities.

“No woman should be living in a dangerous situation (but) many women are forced to sleep in their cars, sleep rough, stay at friends’ houses ... be put up in hotel rooms,” Mr Marshall said.

The Liberal policy also includes:

AUTOMATICALLY notifying victims if their abuser gets bail or parole, or their conditions change.

REVIEWING how police respond to abusers who breach conditions of court orders.

BETTER targeting rehabilitation programs and ensuring more offenders take part.

The Labor policy would involve appointing Mr Weatherill as the state’s first Family Violence Prevention Minister to “bring together the resources of government” to tackle the problem. It would also:

REQUIRE all employers to allow workers up to 10 days’ domestic violence leave so they can “safely move house, attend court dates and seek legal advice without fear of losing their job”. Mr Weatherill said Labor would consult with businesses about the cost.

PUBLISH data on the extent of family violence in SA online annually.

ALLOCATE $1 million to the Women’s Legal Service of SA to meet growing demand.

The Advertiser reported yesterday that the service was turning away up to 200 women a month and needed an extra $400,000 a year.

Mr Weatherill said today’s announcements built on policies flagged last year, including changing the law to allow video evidence of domestic violence incidents in court and prevent discrimination against those experiencing violence who were seeking housing or work.

Finally, money for family violence victims

FINALLY, we’ve got some money on the table.

Victims of domestic violence, and those who work to protect them, have waited until just nine days before the state election to hear what the leaders of our largest political parties plan to do about its unacceptable toll.

Many of the pledges revealed today respond directly to priorities raised by victims and advocates and published in The Advertiser on Monday.

They include about $400,000 a year from both sides to staff a dedicated 24/7 crisis line and plans to trial — before the end of the year — a scheme which could give people information about their partner’s criminal history.

Some of the pledges are costed, such as the $9 million promised by the Liberals for more crisis housing or the $1 million from Labor for the Women’s Legal Service.

Others make more vague promises, like “improving” data collection or putting in place “tougher” penalties.

Unfortunately there isn’t the massive injection of funding the sector says is needed to make a meaningful difference to this problem which has killed at least eight South Australians a year in the past two financial years, and leaves thousands of others hurt or homeless. Victims in other states have benefited from commitments ranging from $26 million in Tasmania to more than $520 million in Victoria.

As always, we will have to keep the pressure on if today’s pledges are actually to be delivered. There have been plenty of promises to tackle this social scourge in the past, but we’ve spent a long time waiting. Whoever takes power on March 17 better get on with it.

— Lauren Novak

For help, phone 1800 RESPECT, or the SA Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098.