Still failing the victims

THE number of women and children killed in Victoria signifies an appalling failure to reduce violence in the community.

Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies.

THE number of women and children killed in Victoria signifies an appalling failure to reduce violence in the community.

A royal commission, hundreds of millions of funding, a plethora of new programs and all the best intentions in the world have not curbed the insidious violence that resulted in at least 30 women and children being killed in Victoria in 2016, a sharp increase on the number of victims from the previous year.

A Herald Sun investigation has revealed the extent of the mayhem that saw one Victorian women or child murdered every 12 days.

Figures obtained from the Victorian Coroners Court and Crime Statistics Agency show the death toll of women skyrocketed by 91 per cent in 2016; 21 probable and possible homicides, compared with 11 deaths in 2015.

The victims include infants, mothers and grandmothers.

It’s clear that an even greater effort is needed to tackle family violence.

In addition to current measures, the government should look at greater punishment for offenders as well as directing resources to those communities where violence against women is most prevalent.

The Herald Sun first revealed the extent of the domestic violence scourge in July 2013.

Our Take a Stand campaign was launched to confront the hidden disgrace of family violence and to ensure victims no longer suffered in silence, embarrassed by their plight.

And to make it clear that ugly attitudes towards women would not be tolerated in a civilised society.

Since then there have been legislative changes to improve outcomes for at-risk women, greater police training in dealing with domestic violence victims, increased funding for shelters, counselling and education programs.

And yet more needs to be done to protect vulnerable women and children.

Every Victorian has a responsibility to do the right thing. It is incumbent on every one of us to take a stand if we see or become aware of a women or child being abused. We must do more to support victims of violence as they rebuild their lives after suffering the physical and emotional trauma of being in an abusive relationship.

There must also be a greater focus on the terrible toll that violent acts have on children.

Nine children were among the 2016 death toll, including two infant boys killed within a week of each other.

Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies has called for a mandatory life sentence for anyone convicted of killing an infant.

Mr Davies argues that child killers have “lost their right to a second chance” and have robbed their victim of “90 years of their lives”.

The Andrews Government has vowed to do more to reduce the incidence of family violence, pledging to implement all 227 recommendations from the royal commission.

The Herald Sun implores the State Government to look closely at Mr Davies’ call for harsher sentencing for those who kill the most vulnerable members of society.

A TEST OF VALUES

IMMIGRATION Minister Peter Dutton’s call to toughen the citizenship test has merit.

The current multiple choice test is not only inadequate but it reveals nothing about the character or values of a prospective citizen. An applicant need answer only 15 of 20 multiple choice questions correctly to pass.

But the ability to memorise a few facts about the Constitution, the Commonwealth coat-of-arms and the colour of the Aboriginal flag is not an indicator of a person’s suitability to become a citizen.

Australia is a wonderfully inclusive country that has embraced migrants from around the world.

We must ensure that those who come to our peaceful country are capable of successfully assimilating within the community and respect our values.

“Australian values, like abiding by Australian laws, working hard if you are able-bodied and of working age, and educating your children, have been the underpinning of the success of our ­migration program for a long time,” Mr Dutton said.

“The vast majority of people who want to become an Australian citizen embrace these ­values, but under the current ­arrangements people who don’t can still end up with the same valued prize of citizenship. My view is people who don’t embrace these tangible values shouldn’t expect automatic ­citizenship.”

A multiple choice test cannot gauge an individual’s willingness to integrate successfully into Australian life.

Any new test should explore the applicant’s attitudes to Australian laws and values as well as look at their willingness to learn the language and find employment.