THE fact family violence is the leading cause of death and disability for women under the age of 45 in Victoria is a shocking statistic.
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The figure may have been cited before, but ahead of this week’s release of the terms of reference for a royal commission, it has made for sobering reading.
Premier Daniel Andrews has vowed nothing is off limits in efforts to cut the violence, and if the commission finds doing so would lessen the problem, then laws would be toughened against the perpetrators.
The Labor government’s Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Fiona Richardson says the commission is focused on finding policy responses to implement generation change.
They are significant changes to make — in 2013 there were 44 family violence related deaths in Victoria and more than 65,000 family incidents reported to police in 2013-14.
The terms of reference refer to the need to find ways to not only prevent family violence but to improve early intervention, protect those at risk, support victims and make perpetrators more accountable.
The inquiry will cost $40 million, but ultimately it will be money well spent if those changes can be made.
