NCJ Number
64534
Date Published
1979
Length
84 pages
Annotation
PAPERS ON CHILD ABUSE, SEXUAL OFFENSES, FAMILY VIOLENCE, AND COMMUNITY JUSTICE ARE PRESENTED AT A SEMINAR IN AUSTRALIA DEVOTED TO ISSUES RAISED BY THE REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.
Abstract
RAPE, STATUTORY RAPE, SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN, AND INCEST ARE DISCUSSED, EMPHASIZING ASPECTS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO BE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO THE FAMILY. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT NEW SOUTH WALES HAS LAGGED BEHIND OTHER STATES IN INTRODUCING REFORMS. THE PAPER ON FAMILY VIOLENCE RECOGNIZES THE INCREASED AWARENESS AND CONCERN FOR THE PROBLEM, AND CALLS FOR ADEQUATE FUNDS TO COMBAT IT. RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED SPECIAL POLICE TRAINING COURSES AND INFORMATIVE MATERIALS AIM AT INCREASING POLICE UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AND OVERCOMING THEIR RELUCTANCE TO INTERVENE IN DOMESTIC MATTERS. THE PAPER ON CHILD ABUSE STRESSES THAT WHILE THE LAW CANNOT ITSELF SOLVE THE PROBLEM, IT CAN PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE SERVICES. LAWS REQUIRING NOTIFICATION OF CASES OF SUSPECTED ABUSE NEED ADEQUATE FUNDS TO COMBAT IT. RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED SPECIAL POLICE TRAINING COURSES AND INFORMATION MATERIALS AIM AT INCREASING POLICE UNDERSTANDING OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AND OVERCOMING THEIR RELUCTANCE TO INTERVENE IN DOMESTIC MATTERS. THE PAPER ON CHILD ABUSE STRESSES THAT WHILE THE LAW CANNOT ISTSELF SOLVE THE PROBLEM, IT CAN PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE SERVICES. LAWS REQUIRING NOTIFICATION OF CASES OF SUSPECTED ABUSE NEED ADEQUATE SUPPORTING SERVICES IF THEY ARE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL. THE PAPER ON COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTERS EXPRESSES THE HOPE THAT SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS WILL PROVIDE A MEANS FOR RESOLVING FAMILY AND NEIGHBORHOOD DISPUTES BY MEDIATION OUTSIDE THE NORMAL LEGAL PROCESS. THE PILOT FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER SCHEME IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN NEW SOUTH WALES. DISCUSSIONS, TABULAR DATA, AND COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER MODELS ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)