An Australian woman dies every week as a result of domestic violence.
Judges, lawyers, social workers, researchers and victims of domestic violence will meet in Brisbane tomorrow (Tuesday 21 April) to seek improvements to the way cases are handled in the justice system.
QUT Associate Professor Molly Dragiewicz, who directs the university's Centre for Crime and Justice Research, said there was an urgent need to find solutions.
"Australia has seen record high domestic homicides this year, with reports indicating on average more than one woman dies a week," she said.
"Something has to change to prevent these preventable murders of women and children. This symposium is a step toward fixing the systemic problems that allow such killings to continue. "
QUT's Crime and Justice Research Centre will host the event at the State Library of Queensland between 1.30-5.00pm (AEST).
QUT Associate Professor Molly Dragiewicz, who directs the university's Centre for Crime and Justice Research, said there was a strong response from the community and an urgent need to find solutions.
"Australia has seen record high domestic homicides this year, with an average of three women killed per week," she said.
"This is even higher than the usual two a week. Something has to change to prevent these preventable murders of women and children. This symposium is a step toward fixing the systemic problems that allow such killings to continue. "
More than 100 people will gather at the event which will also be attended by Queensland's Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Shannon Fentiman.
Panel discussions will focus on the impact of Indigenous children's exposure to family violence and the key challenges for improving the legal system's response to survivors in rural and remote communities.
An investigation of Muslim women's experiences with reporting partner violence and how improvements can be made will also be discussed.
The event is co-sponsored by the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research Central Queensland University.
What: Supporting Survivors of Domestic and Family Violence: Challenges and Recommendations for Justice Responses
Who:
* QUT Associate Professor Molly Dragiewicz, Director of the Crime and Justice Research Centre, School of Justice
* The Hon Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
* Her Honour Judge Fleur Y Kingham, District Court Queensland, Children's Court Queensland
* Senior Lecturer and Acting Director of the Indigenous Law Centre, University of NSW, Kyllie Cripps
* Wynetta Dewis, Community Development Manager for the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIVLS)
When: Tuesday, April 21, 1.30-5.00pm
Where: State Library of Queensland, Cultural Precinct, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
Further details regarding key speakers at the event are available via pdf.
Media contacts:
- Debra Nowland, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1150 or media@qut.edu.au
- (after hours), QUT media team leader Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
