Achievement Report to 2013
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Government of Western Australia Department for Child Protection and Family Support WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION STRATEGY TO 2022 ACHIEVEMENT REPORT TO 2013 Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 – ACHIEVEMENT REPORT TO 2013 i Minister’s foreword Family and domestic violence is an insidious and often invisible social problem which cuts across social, economic and demographic boundaries and profoundly effects those that experience it. A comprehensive, committed and shared response across state and Commonwealth government departments, community sector agencies and broader civil society is needed to reduce the incidence of family and domestic violence in our state. Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 (the Prevention Strategy) provides the framework in which a comprehensive and shared response to family and domestic violence both at a state and national level can be achieved. This first annual Achievement Report highlights the work already underway to improve the accessibility of targeted, effective support services and the robust progress in implementing the Prevention Strategy. The data presented in this report provides insight into the prevalence of family and domestic violence within our state and identifies those areas that require further exploration to investigate its impacts. The increase in reporting, charges and police orders most likely reflects significant progress in raising community awareness and engagement, and implementing effective integrated responses holding perpetrators accountable for their violence. A continued commitment to integrating service responses remains a priority. While a number of collaborative models are already operating across the state, there is much more to do to make certain our service system is responsive to the needs of women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, and holds those who perpetrate violence accountable for their behaviour through strong civil and criminal sanctions. Although we are always striving to improve our work, we cannot become complacent. Our focus must remain on providing a safe place to live for all members of our community and it is only when we work toward a shared vision of a life without violence that we will truly succeed in eliminating family and domestic violence from our society. Helen Morton MLC MINISTER FOR CHILD PROTECTION Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 – ACHIEVEMENT REPORT TO 2013 i This page intentionally left blank. ii Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 – ACHIEVEMENT REPORT TO 2013 Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................................2 Progress against Outcomes ............................................................................................................2 Outcome One: Prevention and Early Intervention .............................................................................3 Outcome Two: Safety for Victims .....................................................................................................7 Outcome Three: Accountability for Perpetrators ............................................................................12 Strengthening the Evidence Base .................................................................................................16 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework ..........................................................................................18 Western Australia Demographic Profile .........................................................................................21 Moving Forward ............................................................................................................................24 Data Appendices .........................................................................................................................25 KPI 1 ............................................................................................................................................26 KPI 2 ............................................................................................................................................27 KPI 3 ............................................................................................................................................29 KPI 4 ............................................................................................................................................31 KPI 5 ............................................................................................................................................33 KPI 6 ............................................................................................................................................36 KPI 7 ............................................................................................................................................39 Regional Profiles ...........................................................................................................................40 Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 – ACHIEVEMENT REPORT TO 2013 1 Introduction Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 (the Prevention Strategy) was developed in partnership with the Family and Domestic Violence Senior Officer’s Group (SOG)1 and released in December 2012. The Prevention Strategy is aligned with the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan) and each three year national action plan. The Prevention Strategy presents a number of broad strategies against the outcome areas and includes the provision to focus planning in three year phases, each informing the subsequent three years up to 2022. The three year phases of the Prevention Strategy are as follows: Establishing Change Building a solid foundation and facilitating an environment for change to 2013 First Phase (2013-2016) – Sustaining Change Strengthening the foundation and supporting further reform Second Phase (2016-2019) – Consolidating Change Recognising achievements and assessing results Third Phase (2019-2022) – Achieving Change Continuing reform beyond the life of the Prevention Strategy Annual achievement reports will be released over the duration of the Prevention Strategy, providing key examples of work undertaken. Biennial reports will include data collected against performance indicators. Progress against Outcomes Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 includes three high level outcomes: Prevention and Early Intervention; Safety for Victims; and Accountability for Perpetrators. Each outcome has an action area targeting specific priorities while allowing the flexibility to develop and implement actions that address new and emerging issues as circumstances change. The outcome areas are intentionally linked to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 to provide a coordinated framework that improves the scope, focus and effectiveness of actions both within the state and nationally. 1 The SOG comprises senior representatives from the key state and Commonwealth government agencies that have a direct or indirect responsibility for victims and perpetrators of family and domestic violence. The Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services WA is also represented. 2 Western Australia’s Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Strategy to 2022 – ACHIEVEMENT REPORT TO 2013 Outcome One: Prevention and Early Intervention Individual attitudes and behaviours within the community reflect that family and domestic violence in any form is not acceptable.2 Actions 1.1 Encourage schools and other educational institutions to complement respectful relationships education programs through integration into the mainstream curriculum. 1.2 Continue to raise awareness and support attitudinal change towards family and domestic violence through a range of social marketing campaigns targeted at diverse communities. It is acknowledged that while prevention at a community level is essential, there is also a need for prevention initiatives that support individuals to develop healthy and respectful relationships. A number of programs are underway across the state to promote healthy relationships with young people and work toward inclusion of respectful relationship education into mainstream curriculum, these include: The Department for Child Protection and Family Support (CPFS) has re-developed a website and resources for young people experiencing family and domestic violence in their family or personal relationships. The Youth Say No campaign targets three areas: • Trouble at Home; • Dating Violence; and • Worried about Someone. The campaign and resources were launched at a White Ribbon Day event on 30 November 2012. The Department of Health, Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) has engaged an Education and Training Coordinator (Respectful Relationships) to: • contact schools, universities and professional groups to offer Respectful Relationships (RR) training programs and respond to requests for programs where resourcing allows; • provide training programs into regional areas when the RR educator can ‘tag’ with other training programs; • maintain regular contact with Youth Focus to ensure the RR website is regularly