10.11.2010
Criticisms of the incident-focused nature of criminal offences
Case study
‘Some of the women I have assisted have experienced years of violence, including rapes, which have been reduced to one charge of common assault. There is no way a just sentence for her suffering and trauma, and the harm done to society by his actions, can be applied to a single charge of common assault no matter how sensitive and insightful the magistrate is.’
One woman experienced a year of social isolation, food deprivation, constant sexual assault and severe physical violence. The police pressed one charge of common assault and one charge of actual bodily harm in respect of injuries they were able to photograph. At court the police prosecutor accepted a plea bargain and dropped one of the charges without consulting the woman who was present in court ready to appear and give evidence. The offender admitted to a third party that he had been assaulting his wife but the evidence was not used because it did not relate to a specific incident of assault. The offender received a good behaviour bond.[6]
13.6 The above case study echoes the criticisms advanced by some commentators about the way in which the dynamics of family violence are viewed in criminal offences. Some have argued that the predominantly incident-focused nature of most criminal offences fails to take account of the ‘patterns of power and control’ in family violence cases and, consequently, ‘the full measure of injury that these patterns inflict’.[7] Where offences are framed in terms of discrete incidents—for example, an assault occurring in the context of family violence[8]—the investigation and prosecution will focus on conduct relevant to establishing each element of the offence. A broader history of abuse may be perceived as irrelevant to the immediate offence charged.[9]
13.7 During the Inquiry, lawyers representing victims of family violence informed the Commissions that persons who have committed family violence over a period of time are often prosecuted for only a small number of incidents.[10] It may be difficult to prove specific incidents in the course of ongoing violence to the requisite standard because:
victims may be unable to recall the dates or times of particular incidents;
victims may not have reported incidents at the time, which may be due to reasons including: fear; unawareness of the criminal nature of the violent behaviour; a desire to protect the person committing the violence from criminal sanctions; unawareness or inaccessibility of services; or lack of confidence in the legal response;
victims may have explained away their injuries to third parties, for the above reasons;
evidence of the victim’s disclosures to third parties, such as friends or counsellors, may be inadmissible as hearsay evidence;
corroborating evidence may be of limited probative value—for example, the evidence of neighbours who heard incidents through a wall, or that of young children present in the home; and
there may be no evidence of injuries or harm suffered at the time a complaint is made, particularly where non‑physical abuse is alleged.[11]
13.8 Some commentators have argued that the incident-based focus of the criminal law has several adverse consequences in a family violence context. Where a course of violent behaviour is reduced to a small number of charges, it is said that the criminal law fails to punish adequately the harm done to the victim, and does not publicly recognise and condemn the seriousness of family violence.[12]
13.9 Others have suggested that isolating specific incidents from a victim’s broader history of violence can damage the credibility of his or her evidence in respect of the offences prosecuted. It is said that a break in the ‘natural sequence of narrative evidence’, can render the victim’s account of specific incidents ‘incoherent’ and ‘unpersuasive’.[13] A narrow recognition of family violence in criminal offences can have a flow-on effect to other legal frameworks that depend on the criminal law—such as victims’ compensation—with the result that family violence victims are under-compensated.[14]
Current approaches to recognising family violence in criminal offences
13.10 Notwithstanding the traditionally incident-focused nature of criminal law, family violence has received varying degrees of recognition in criminal offences in Australian and overseas jurisdictions. Forms of recognition—separately addressed below—have included:
a specific offence of family violence, based upon a course of conduct;
course of conduct-based offences, covering certain family violence related conduct—for example, offences in the nature of the persistent sexual abuse of children;
aggravated forms of existing offences where they are committed against persons in a defined family relationship with the offender—which attract higher maximum penalties;
the designation of certain offences as ‘family violence offences’ which do not attract higher maximum penalties;
specific offences of economic and emotional abuse;
in the prosecution of offences under general criminal laws, the admission of evidence of the relationship between the accused person and the victim—including previous violence—where it is relevant to the facts in issue; and
in federal jurisdictions in which primary responsibility for criminal law is vested in state and territory governments—federal offences relevant to the family violence context.
An umbrella offence of family violence
13.11 Family violence is not a specific offence in most common law jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2003, the United Kingdom government rejected an umbrella offence of family violence on the basis that a separate offence would reduce the range of available charging options from among existing offences, and thereby ‘diminish the offence’.[15]
13.12 In the United States, the Maine legislature considered the introduction of a discrete family violence offence in 2007.[16] However, it ultimately enacted a series of individual ‘domestic violence crimes’ based upon existing offences committed against persons defined as ‘family or household members’.[17] The Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety recommended the use of specific offence provisions rather than an umbrella offence in order to conform to technical drafting standards.[18]
13.13 Several European jurisdictions have recognised a specific offence of family violence. A Council of Europe Report indicates that the following countries have specific offences: Andorra, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.[19] Sweden explained the introduction of its specific offence as follows:
Its purpose is to deal with repeated male violence towards women with whom they have a close relationship. The introduction of the new offence will make it possible for the courts to substantially increase the penal value for the acts committed against the woman, when the acts are part of a process which constitutes a violation of integrity. Thus it will be possible, in a much better way than with existing legislation, to take the entire situation of the abused woman into account. The new crime does not exclude that the perpetrator at the same time can be prosecuted, for instance, for rape or other gross crimes.[20]
13.14 The Indian Penal Code includes an offence of cruelty to women.[21] In 2005, a study conducted on the operation of this section concluded that, of 30 cases it had studied, no prosecution had succeeded under that section. Although many in the legal system were of the view that the section was being misused, the study concluded that victims thought the section required strengthening and non-governmental organisations considered it the only effective mechanism of redress for victims of family violence.[22]
13.15 A potential umbrella offence has received limited consideration in Australian jurisdictions. For example, in 2000, the Taskforce on Women and the Criminal Code (Qld) recommended that the Queensland Government investigate the creation of a ‘specific offence of domestic or family violence’, in order to ‘specifically name the behaviour and encourage the prosecution of it’.[23] The Taskforce recommended that an investigation should ‘canvass the creation of a course-of-conduct offence’, in similar terms to the offence of torture in s 320A of the Criminal Code (Qld).[24]
13.16 While there is academic support for a specific course of conduct-based offence,[25] there is no consensus on its precise formulation. For example, Professor Deborah Tuerkheimer advocates legislation that would require proof of ‘a course of conduct’ that the defendant ‘knows or reasonably should know … is likely to result in substantial power or control over the victim’.[26] Professor Alafair Burke has suggested that the offence should instead require that the defendant engaged in a pattern of family violence with the intention of gaining power or control over the victim.[27]
13.17 There is precedent for course of conduct-based offences in Australian criminal laws. For example, all states and territories have introduced offences in the nature of the persistent sexual abuse of children.[28] These offences are considered in detail in Chapter 25. In short, they were enacted to recognise the difficulties of particularising incidents of repetitive conduct.[29] They generally capture a number of unlawful sexual acts, and in some cases expressly provide that it is not necessary to prove the dates or exact circumstances of individual incidents.
13.18 Where available, offences in the nature of torture—namely, those covering the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering on the victim over a period of time—may also be relevant in the family violence context.[30] In 2000, the Taskforce on Women and the Criminal Code (Qld) recommended that the offence of torture in s 320A of the Criminal Code (Qld) be amended to include an example of how the offence could be used for offences involving domestic and family violence.[31]
Aggravated offences
13.19 The criminal legislation of South Australia and Western Australia makes provision for aggravated offences that are committed in a family violence context. In South Australia, the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) creates an aggravated offence where the offender committed an offence knowing that the victim was:
a spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of the offender; or
a child in the custody of, or who normally resides with: the offender, a spouse, former spouse, domestic partner or former domestic partner of the offender.[32]
13.20 The section also creates aggravated offences where the offender abused a position of trust or authority in committing the offence, and where the offender committed the offence in the course of deliberately and systematically inflicting severe pain on the victim.[33] These factors appear to be based upon the provisions in the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) Model Criminal Code.[34]
13.21 In respect of sentencing, the Act appears to modify the operation of the common law principle articulated in R v De Simoni,[35] whereby an accused person who is convicted of a basic offence cannot be sentenced on the basis of circumstances of aggravation which would have warranted a conviction for a more serious offence. Section 5AA(6) provides that the section does not prevent a court from taking into account, in the usual way, the circumstances of and surrounding the commission of an offence for the purpose of determining sentence. The section applies notwithstanding the fact that the relevant circumstances would have justified an aggravated form of the charge and sets out the following example to illustrate this point:
A person is charged with a basic offence and the court finds that the offence was committed in circumstances that would have justified a charge of the offence in its aggravated form. In this case, the court may, in sentencing, take into account the circumstances of the aggravation for the purpose of determining penalty but must (of course) fix a penalty within the limits appropriate to the basic offence.
13.22 In Western Australia, offences against the person are treated as aggravated if, among other things, the offender is in a ‘family and domestic relationship with the victim’, [36] a child was present at the time of the offence, or the conduct of the offender constituted a breach of a protection order.[37] The criminal legislation sets out higher penalties for a number of offences, including assault and causing grievous bodily harm where those offences are committed in aggravating circumstances.[38]
13.23 In both jurisdictions the existence of a family relationship between the victim and offender is expressed as a circumstance of aggravation.[39] There is limited precedent for aggravated offences in a family violence context in European countries. In some cases, jurisdictions with mandatory minimum sentencing schemes provide for a higher minimum sentence in their aggravated family‑violence related offences. For example, art 172 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina provides that:
Aggravated Bodily Injury
(1) Whoever inflicts a serious bodily injury upon another person or severely impairs his health, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term between six months and five years.
(2) Whoever perpetrates the criminal offence referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article against his spouse, common-law partner, or to the parent of his child with whom he does not share a household, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term between one and five years.[40]
13.24 In the United States, several states recognise aggravated forms of assault or battery in respect of offences committed against persons with whom the offender is in a defined family relationship. Most criminal family-violence related provisions incorporate existing offences by reference—or are based upon the elements of existing offences—with an additional requirement of a specified relationship between the victim and defendant.[41] Offences against persons in defined family relationships typically carry higher penalties than basic offences. For example, in Georgia, a simple assault committed against a spouse, parent, child, sibling, co-habitant or other protected person is punishable ‘for a misdemeanour of a high and aggravated nature’, whereas a simple assault in the absence of a family relationship is punishable as a misdemeanour only.[42]
The relationship between aggravated offences and sentencing factors
13.25 Another issue is the relationship between aggravated offences and sentencing factors—in particular, aggravating sentencing factors, that is, those that increase the penalty to be imposed within the prescribed maximum for the offence. One relevant issue is when a particular circumstance ought to be specified as an element of an aggravated offence, or left to general sentencing discretion in respect of basic offences—or prescribed as an aggravating factor in sentencing legislation. In practical terms, key differences between these alternatives include the following:
an aggravated offence attracts a higher maximum penalty than the basic offence—whereas an aggravating sentencing factor justifies a higher penalty within the existing maximum for the basic offence,[43] and a non‑mitigating sentencing factor will neither increase nor decrease culpability;[44]
in respect of aggravated offences, it is generally accepted that the relevant circumstance of aggravation should be specified in the charge;[45] and
aggravated offences require proof of the circumstances of aggravation beyond reasonable doubt—whereas the applicable standard of proof in sentencing is determined by reference to whether the factor is adverse or favourable to the interests of the accused person.[46]
13.26 The Commissions have not identified any existing guidelines delineating when a factor should be prescribed as an element of an aggravated offence and when it should be treated as a circumstance of aggravation in sentencing. The former Standing Committee of Attorneys-General Model Criminal Code Officers Committee (MCCOC)—now the Model Criminal Law Officers Committee (MCLOC)—considered this issue in its 1998 Report on the Model Criminal Code—Chapter 5: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person. The Committee observed that ‘there are no generally articulated or agreed guidelines in existence on the question whether and when it is desirable, as a matter of principle, to make a matter one for trial or sentence’. The Committee took the view that a principal guiding criterion should be ‘whether the legislature desires that the aggravating criterion should be the subject of decision by a jury for the purposes of guilt or innocence, and whether it is sensible to ask the jury to make such a decision’.[47]
13.27 The Committee proposed a series of factors of aggravation for non-fatal offences against the person, including:
in the case of the model offence of intentionally causing serious harm, the commission of the offence during torture (defined as the deliberate and systemic infliction of pain on the victim over a period of time);
the commission of an offence by the use or threatened use of an offensive weapon;
the commission of an offence against a child under the age of 10 years;
the commission of an offence against a person in abuse of a position of trust; and
the commission of an offence against a person in abuse of a position of authority.[48]
13.28 The Committee considered the inclusion of breach of a court order—for example, a protection order—directed against the kind of conduct involved in the offence. The Committee commented that this factor ‘generalised a factor of aggravation common to a number of stalking laws’.[49] However, the Committee concluded that this factor was ‘not in the same order’ as the other factors, and could be dealt with by way of sentencing discretion. It therefore raised the model maximum penalty for stalking from three years to five years.[50]
13.29 However, the Model Criminal Code provisions have not been implemented consistently in state and territory legislation. For example, the NSW sentencing legislation includes some of the model provisions on aggravated offences—or broadly similar circumstances of aggravation—as aggravating factors in sentencing.[51] As identified above, the family-violence related aggravated offences in the South Australian criminal legislation include, but are not limited to, the Model Criminal Codeprovisions.[52]
13.30 A further issue relevant to the relationship between any new aggravated family‑violence related offences and circumstances of aggravation in sentencing is the principle articulated in R v De Simoni as noted above. It provides that:
a judge, in imposing sentence, is entitled to consider all of the conduct of the accused—including that which would aggravate the offence—but cannot take into account circumstances of aggravation which would have warranted a conviction for a more serious offence.[53]
13.31 Consequences of this principle include the following:
where an accused person is convicted of a basic offence—the facts of which involve a particular circumstance that may constitute both the elements of an uncharged, aggravated form of that offence, and an aggravating factor in sentencing the basic offence—a court may not treat that circumstance as an aggravating factor in sentencing the basic offence;[54] and
where a sentencing court is considering an aggravating factor in the sentencing of an offence—but that factor could have formed the basis of a charge for a different offence—it is necessary to determine whether that other offence would have made the offender liable to a ‘more serious’ penalty. If so, the factor cannot be treated as an aggravating factor in sentencing the first-mentioned offence.[55]
13.32 Further, issues of double punishment may arise where a person is convicted of an aggravated offence, and the relevant circumstance of aggravation is also an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW)makes provision for this contingency. Section 21A(2) provides that the court is not to have additional regard to an enumerated aggravating sentencing factor if it is an element of the offence. This provision has been interpreted as prohibiting the ‘double counting’ of circumstances of aggravation in both the elements of an offence and in sentencing.[56] However, the phrase ‘additional regard’ contemplates that a sentencing court may have some regard to the aggravated elements of an offence. The extent to which a court may do so is a question of degree—for example, a circumstance of aggravation may be relevant to a sentencing court’s consideration of the nature and seriousness of the facts of the offence.[57]
13.33 The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has held that, where a circumstance of aggravation in the offence is particularly heinous, in that it ‘transcends that which would be regarded as an inherent characteristic of the offence’, it may be regarded as an aggravating factor in sentencing.[58] The Court has further identified the necessity of adopting a purposive approach to the comparison of circumstances of aggravation in offences and aggravating factors in sentencing.[59]
13.34 The introduction of any aggravated family-violence related offences would therefore require consideration of their relationship to existing circumstances of aggravation in sentencing legislation. For example—in addition to the prohibition on ‘double counting’ discussed above—the NSW sentencing legislation preserves the De Simoni principle. Section 21(4) provides that the Court is not to have regard to any legislatively prescribed aggravating or mitigating factors in sentencing if it would be contrary to any Act or rule of law to do so. As mentioned earlier, South Australia appears to have taken a different approach, enabling the court to take into account circumstances that would have justified a charge for an aggravated offence in sentencing a basic offence, provided that the sentence is within the prescribed limit for the basic offence.[60]
Designated family violence offences not attracting higher maximum penalty
13.35 As discussed in Chapter 5, the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW) designates as ‘domestic violence offences’ certain offences committed against persons with whom the offender is in a defined family relationship.[61] Convictions for domestic violence offences are specifically identified on offenders’ criminal records.[62] This enables the court to build a progressive record of family-violence related criminal conduct, which may be taken into account in the trial of subsequent offences. For example, the Bail Act 1978 (NSW) excludes the presumption in favour of bail in respect of domestic violence offences where the accused person has ‘a history of violence’.[63] The latter term is defined as including a guilty finding within the last 10 years of a ‘personal violence offence’.[64] The Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) provides that a record of previous convictions is an aggravating factor in sentencing.[65]
13.36 While the ACT family violence legislation recognises ‘domestic violence offences’ for the purpose of defining domestic violence, it does not make express provision for a scheme for the recording and subsequent consideration of convictions for domestic violence offences.[66] However, previous convictions for domestic violence offences—or those not specifically designated but nevertheless committed in circumstances of family violence—may be relevant to the general exercise of discretion in relation to bail applications and in sentencing.
Offences of economic and emotional abuse
13.37 Tasmania is the only Australian jurisdiction with specific offences in respect of economic and emotional abuse in the context of family violence. In respect of economic abuse, the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas) requires the offender to have an intention to unreasonably control or intimidate his or her spouse or partner (the victim), or cause mental harm, apprehension or fear in committing certain acts of economic abuse. These acts include:
coercing the victim to relinquish control over assets or income;
disposing of relevant property without the consent of the victim or affected child;
preventing the victim from accessing joint assets to meet normal household expenditure; and
withholding financial support reasonably necessary for the maintenance of the victim and any affected child.[67]
13.38 In respect of emotional abuse, the Family Violence Act prohibits a person from pursuing ‘a course of conduct that he or she knows, or ought to know, is likely to have the effect of unreasonably controlling or intimidating, or causing mental harm, apprehension or fear in, his or her spouse or partner’.[68]
13.39 The Tasmanian Attorney-General explained the rationale for the economic and emotional abuse offences as recognising the non-physical dimensions of family violence, addressing the tendency of such abuse to undermine victims’ capacity to take action, and acknowledging the need to take a more holistic view of family violence.[69] The Commissions are not aware of any prosecutions under the Family Violence Act for either economic or emotional abuse.[70]
Leading evidence of an accused person’s history of family violence
13.40 Where a person is charged with an offence alleged to have been committed as part of a broader course of family violence, family-violence related evidence—including evidence of uncharged acts of prior violence and the nature of the relationship between the parties—may be admissible, provided that it is relevant to a fact in issue.[71]
13.41 For example, certain family-violence related evidence has been admitted to:
prove motive or to establish the intent of the accused, or to negative a defence of accident, self-defence or provocation;[72]
assist the trier of fact to understand evidence that may otherwise be disjointed or implausible[73]—for example, evidence demonstrating the accused person’s or victim’s state of mind;[74] and
establish a tendency on the part of an accused person to resort to violence in specific circumstances, in support of a contention he did not act in self‑defence.[75]
Legislative guidance on family-violence related evidence
13.42 Victoria and Queensland have legislatively confirmed the potential relevance of family-violence related evidence in respect of certain criminal defences. These provisions are discussed in detail in the discussion of homicide defences in Chapter 14. In general terms, in Victoria, s 9AH of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) provides that where circumstances of family violence are alleged in murder, defensive homicide or manslaughter cases, evidence of family violence may be relevant to establishing self-defence or duress. The section provides guidance about particular facts in issue to which evidence of family violence may be relevant, and the types of evidence that may be relevant.
13.43 The Queensland provision is framed in more general terms. Section 132B(2) of the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld) provides that ‘relevant evidence of the history of the domestic relationship between the defendant and the person against whom the offence was committed’ is admissible in criminal proceedings against a person for certain offences against the person, including homicide offences, offences endangering life or health and assaults.[76] However, the provision has been judicially criticised as redundant because relevant evidence is, by definition, generally admissible.[77] In 2000, the Taskforce on Women and the Criminal Code (Qld) recommended that s 132B be repealed and replaced with:
a new scheme detailing the admissibility of evidence of the domestic relationship between the accused and the complainant/victim, and including the use of expert and lay testimony, the use to which the evidence can be put, and to which offences or defences it applies.[78]
Judicial guidance on family-violence related evidence
13.44 Judicial bench books in some states and territories also provide some guidance about the admissibility of family-violence related evidence.[79] Notwithstanding these resources, some commentators have expressed concern about inconsistent judicial approaches to the admissibility of such evidence.[80]
Federal offences relevant in the family violence context
Australian federal offences
13.45 Federal criminal laws have limited relevance in the family violence context because they are confined to subject matters within Commonwealth legislative power.[81] Chapter 5 identifies relevant federal offences including:
the use of carriage or postal services to make threats, or menace, harass or cause offence; and
conduct constituting economic abuse—for example, offences against social security legislation in respect of coercing a family member to claim a social security payment.
13.46 Chapter 5 also identifies potentially relevant federal offences, including:
the use of carriage services for child abuse or child pornography material; and
sexual servitude offences where the person committing the offence is in a defined family relationship with the victim.
United States federal offences
13.47 In the United States, the Violence Against Women Act created federal offences in respect of acts of family violence committed across state boundaries, including:
travelling interstate with the intent to kill, injure, harass or intimidate a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner and—in the course, or as a result, of such travel—committing or attempting to commit a crime of violence against that person, or placing that person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury or causing substantial emotional distress to that person or a family member;
travelling interstate with the intention to violate a protection order, and subsequently engaging in such conduct in violation of the order;
causing another person to travel interstate by force, coercion, duress or fraud—and in the course, or as a result, of such conduct—violating a protection order, or attempting to commit a crime of violence against that person; and
using mail, an interactive computer service or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce with the intent to kill, injure, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to another person.[82]
13.48 The Gun Control Act similarly creates federal offences in relation to the possession and use of firearms and ammunition by persons who are the subject of protection orders, and those who are convicted of a ‘misdemeanour crime of domestic violence’. A ‘misdemeanour crime of domestic violence’ is defined as an offence under federal or state law which involves an element of the use or attempted use of physical force or threatened use of a deadly weapon, and is committed against an individual with whom the offender maintains a domestic relationship.[83]
13.49 Maximum penalties for offences against the Violence Against Women Act are gradated according to the extent of bodily injury to the victim—ranging from life imprisonment if death of the victim results, to 5, 10 or 20 years imprisonment depending on the severity of bodily injury or the use of a dangerous weapon.[84] Offences against the Gun Control Act carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.[85]
Canadian federal offences
13.50 As criminal law is generally a federal responsibility in Canada, its federal offences provide limited insights for comparative purposes. Family violence is prosecuted pursuant to federal offences of general application—for example: offences against the person;[86] stalking, intimidation and harassment-based offences;[87] child abuse and abduction offences;[88] and breaching protection orders.[89] Some aggravated offences of general application are relevant to the family violence context—for example, the Criminal Code recognises murder committed in the course of stalking as first-degree murder, where the offender intended to instil fear in the victim for his or her safety, or that of anyone known to him or her.[90]
Options for reform
13.51 In the Consultation Paper, the Commissions sought stakeholder views on the following non-exclusive options for the recognition of family violence in state and territory criminal law offences:
an umbrella offence of family violence, capturing courses of conduct committed by an offender who is in a family relationship with the victim, where such behaviour is part of a pattern of power and control over the victim;[91]
an aggravated offence in respect of offences committed against victims with whom the offender is in a family relationship, and where the offence committed formed part of a pattern of controlling, coercive or dominating behaviour;[92]
sub-categories of existing offences committed by an offender who is in a family relationship with the victim but which do not attract higher maximum penalties;[93] and
offences of economic and emotional abuse committed in a family violence context.[94]
13.52 The Commissions also considered the recognition of family violence in federal criminal offences. In particular, the Commissions sought stakeholder views about the possibility of aggravated federal offences, or sub-categories of existing federal offences committed in the context of family violence.[95]
Submissions and consultations
13.53 While many submissions supported improvements to the criminal justice response to family violence, there was considerable division of opinion on the preferable form of response.
An umbrella offence of family violence
13.54 In the Consultation Paper, the Commissions sought stakeholder views about the necessity and feasibility of creating a specific offence of family violence, and how such an offence might be conceptualised. On the latter issue, the Commissions asked whether it would be feasible to create a two-tiered offence that captured both coercive conduct and physical violence committed in a family violence context.[96] There was a relatively even division of views among the limited number of submissions responding to this question.
In support of an umbrella offence
13.55 A common theme in those submissions and consultations supporting an umbrella offence was an identified need to recognise the pattern-based nature of family violence and its full impact upon victims.[97] For example, one legal service provider stated that existing offences and other measures—such as the use of representative charges in sentencing—do not ‘fully paint the picture of the ongoing humiliation, terror and suffering’ experienced by victims of family violence. It suggested that ‘a specific offence of family violence may allow for all of this evidence to be put to a court through establishing a pattern of behaviour’.[98]
13.56 Other submissions argued that it would be preferable to recognise the dynamics of family violence through means other than sentencing—including by way of an umbrella offence. For example, in supporting a discrete offence, Professor Patricia Easteal argued that judicial sentencing discretion in intra-familial sexual assault cases can be affected by ‘mythology that characterises assault as perpetrated by strangers in unfamiliar places … and involving physical injury’.[99] Easteal referred to a body of research on the trial and sentencing of sexual assaults committed in the family violence context, which found that sentences did not consistently recognise the degree of suffering experienced by victims—in particular that associated with a breach of trust. She commented that:
this research suggests that although judges today generally reject the view that a prior relationship is a mitigating factor in sentencing, they do not appear to focus on breach of trust as an aggravating variable as they do in cases of parenting-type relationships … Despite breach of trust being stressed more in intra-family cases, sentences in those cases remained lower than where the offender was unknown to the victim and where the rape included violence rather than merely coercion.[100]
13.57 While not expressing a view on a discrete offence, the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW ODPP) commented that—in light of problems associated with the admissibility of uncharged conduct in sentencing—the best way to ensure that a pattern of violent behaviour is placed before the court is by the use of an offence incorporating a course of conduct.[101]
13.58 Some family violence service providers and individuals suggested that a discrete offence would perform an educative function. In particular, it would convey the seriousness and pattern-based nature of family violence to the community, offenders, and other participants in the criminal justice system—including judicial officers and legal representatives.[102]
Against an umbrella offence
13.59 Stakeholders opposing a discrete offence of family violence raised two common issues. First, some stakeholders endorsed the Commissions’ preliminary views on the difficulties associated with conceptualising and particularising the offence.[103] For example, the Local Court of NSW commented that it would be difficult to conceptualise the elements of the offence, ‘given the spectrum of criminality of conduct that may amount to family violence’.[104] The Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria commented that a discrete offence may introduce unnecessary complexity in the criminal justice process.[105]
13.60 The Deputy Chief Magistrate of South Australia, Dr Andrew Cannon, commented that a discrete offence may raise constitutional issues.[106] A failure to identify conduct captured by the offence with sufficient precision may ‘give the police and the courts … a legislative function in defining criminal conduct unknown to the existing law’.[107] The No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association commented that the broad parameters of an umbrella offence may result in police reluctance to lay such a charge.[108]
13.61 A second common issue in submissions and consultations was a preference for other approaches to recognising family violence in the criminal law. Several stakeholders suggested that conduct constituting family violence is adequately recognised in existing criminal offences.[109] In addition, some agencies and organisations supported the NSW model of designating certain offences as ‘family violence offences’ where they are committed against persons in a defined relationship with the offender. As noted above, this creates a history of family-violence related conduct that is relevant in future proceedings—for example, in relation to bail, sentencing and protection orders. National Legal Aid, Legal Aid NSW and the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Network argued that this was a preferable means of providing the courts with offenders’ histories of family violence.[110]
13.62 Other submissions argued that sentencing laws and practices were more appropriate forms of recognition than a new offence. For example, the Local Court of NSW referred to s 21A(2) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), which provides for specific aggravating factors in sentencing. The Court noted that some factors were included specifically to address offences committed in the family violence context.[111] The Court considered that this provision—together with ‘the consistent approach of the courts in NSW … to reinforce the need for general deterrence and denunciation’—was preferable to an umbrella offence.[112] The Law Society of NSW made a general comment that the options for reform appeared to assume that family violence ‘is not sufficiently taken into account in the sentencing process’.[113] It emphasised the importance of sentencing discretion to take account of the ‘varied and dynamic’ situations of family violence that attract criminal sanctions.[114]
13.63 Some submissions argued that a more effective response would be to improve the practical application of existing laws.[115] The Queensland Law Society identified the ‘real issue’ as ‘the desire, ability and resources of police’ to prosecute family-violence related offences, and ‘the granting of appropriate penalties by courts in sentencing’.[116] It supported a coordinated community response and the deployment of specialist police to family justice centres.[117] Women’s Legal Service Queensland argued that a new offence would not address the ‘existing problems of a lack of understanding of the dynamics of violence’ on the part of lawyers, judicial officers and police.[118]
13.64 Other arguments against the introduction of a new offence were that the consolidation of existing offences into a single category would not necessarily improve outcomes,[119] and the desirability of maintaining parity of criminal law responses to all types of violence.[120] Two stakeholders suggested that a separate offence should be the subject of further inquiry.[121]
Conceptualising an umbrella offence
13.65 The majority of submissions did not make any specific proposals about how an umbrella offence could be conceptualised. Easteal supported the illustrative example in the Consultation Paper of a two-tiered offence incorporating coercive conduct and physical violence.[122] Easteal recommended the inclusion of sexual violence as an element of the offence and emphasised the need to clearly define the types of coercion and control captured by the offence.[123] The Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria commented on the potential difficulty of conceptualising a two-tiered approach.[124]
Aggravated offences occurring in a family violence context
13.66 In the Consultation Paper, the Commissions sought stakeholder views as to whether state and territory criminal legislation should provide that offences are aggravated where the offender is in a family relationship with the victim, and where the offence formed part of a pattern of controlling, coercive or dominating behaviour.[125] The Commissions asked whether a similar approach should be taken in respect of federal offences, and sought stakeholder views on relevant federal offences.[126]
13.67 The Commissions also sought stakeholder views on the family relationships that should be recognised for the purposes of aggravated offences.[127] As the recognition of categories of family relationships in criminal laws is relevant to offences, defences and sentencing, it is considered separately in Chapter 14.
13.68 There was no identifiable consensus among stakeholders on the desirability of an aggravated offence. Submissions were divided between recognising family violence as an aggravated offence or as an aggravating factor in sentencing basic offences.[128] Of those submissions supporting an aggravated offence, there were differences of opinion about the appropriate basis for aggravation.[129]
Submissions and consultations supporting an aggravated offence
13.69 The majority of stakeholders supporting an aggravated offence did not advance reasons for their positions.[130] However, some stakeholders considered that an aggravated offence—and the associated higher maximum penalties—would appropriately recognise the seriousness and unacceptability of family violence.[131] One legal service provider suggested that an aggravated offence was preferable to an umbrella offence because it was based on existing criminal offences.[132] Another recommended that an aggravated offence should also attract higher minimum penalties, on the basis that minimum penalties are more commonly applied.[133]
The basis of aggravation
13.70 The majority of submissions supporting an aggravated offence concurred with the Commissions’ preliminary view that a family relationship alone was an insufficient basis for aggravation.[134] However, one legal service provider argued that a family relationship should be recognised as a circumstance of aggravation of itself, because it may be difficult to prove, in addition, a pattern of behaviour.[135] Conversely, Professor Julie Stubbs submitted that a pattern of behaviour should be the sole basis for aggravation rather than a family relationship per se. Stubbs argued that proceeding on the basis of a family relationship would undesirably import an assessment of ‘the importance of family versus strangers’.[136]
Submissions and consultations opposing an aggravated offence
13.71 Several stakeholders argued that aggravating circumstances associated with family-violence related conduct are more appropriately addressed in sentencing,[137] or that patterns of behaviour are matters for judicial education and training.[138] Some NSW-based agencies favoured the legislative designation of aggravating circumstances in sentencing, suggesting that existing provisions in s 21A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) already address most family-violence related offences in an adequate manner.[139]
13.72 Others emphasised the importance of judicial sentencing discretion.[140] The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) recommended that ‘courts should retain unfettered discretion to sentence a defendant according to the seriousness of a particular case’.[141] It argued that:
aggravated factors, of themselves, are of little utility and can result in unjust sentencing outcomes. For example, a court may consider itself compelled to sentence more harshly on the basis of a so-called aggravating factor where the circumstances of the case would not otherwise warrant it to sentence in that manner.[142]
13.73 NAAJA considered that the concept of ‘controlling, coercive or dominating’ behaviour is ambiguous and may capture non‑criminal behaviour—for example, parental discipline of children.[143] National Legal Aid expressed concerns that reliance on a pattern of controlling, coercive or dominating behaviour as an aggravating factor may risk taking into account uncharged conduct. It considered that the significance of the family relationship is a matter appropriate for education and training.[144]
Sub-categories of existing offences—no higher maximum penalty
13.74 In the alternative to umbrella or aggravated offences of family violence, in the Consultation Paper the Commissions sought stakeholder views on the creation of specific offences committed by an offender who is in a family relationship with the victim, but which do not attract a higher maximum penalty.[145]
13.75 Few stakeholders commented on this issue. One stakeholder expressly supported this option without explanation;[146] another opposed it without explanation.[147] The Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria and No To Violence acknowledged the potential educative function of separate offences but ultimately supported an aggravated offence.[148] The Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria also suggested that this approach would not unnecessarily clutter state and territory criminal laws due to the existence of other legislation addressing the relationship between the offender and the victim.[149]
13.76 The National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence opposed this option on the basis that it ‘maintains the false dichotomy that sexual assaults on family members are not sexual assaults or a crime in the same way other sexual assaults are’.[150]
Federal offences
13.77 In the Consultation Paper, the Commissions sought stakeholder views about the recognition of family violence in federal criminal offences. They asked whether federal criminal legislation should be amended to include specific offences committed by an offender who is in a family relationship with the victim, and whether such offences should attract a higher maximum penalty. The Commissions sought stakeholder views on specific federal offences suitable for recognition in the family violence context.[151]
13.78 Several stakeholders supported a consistent approach among federal, state and territory laws to the designation of aggravated or separate family-violence related offences.[152] However no submissions identified specific, existing federal offences suitable for such an approach.[153] The Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria commented on the desirability of federal legislation governing the contravention of protection orders occurring across state or territory borders. The courts stated that ‘it is very difficult to enforce … orders that are breached by threats, intimidation or harassment when the offender is in one state and the victim in another’.[154]
Economic and emotional abuse
13.79 In the Consultation Paper, the Commissions sought stakeholder views about the necessity and desirability of creating specific criminal offences for economic and emotional abuse committed in a family violence context.[155] Responses to this question were divided.
Submissions supporting new offences
13.80 Some stakeholders supported the criminalisation of both economic and emotional abuse, primarily on the basis that these forms of abuse are often core components of family violence.[156] The Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas) submitted that the economic and emotional abuse offences in the Tasmanian criminal legislation are necessary and desirable because they can improve understanding of the severity and unacceptable nature of such conduct.[157] The Department identified several beneficial flow-on effects, including: strengthening the basis for making protection orders in cases of economic and emotional abuse; acting as a general deterrent; and enlivening victims’ compensation entitlements in the event of a successful prosecution.[158]
13.81 The Department submitted that the absence of prosecutions for these offences to date suggests that they are not being utilised in inappropriate circumstances. It noted that economic abuse is difficult to prove—in particular where some instances of conduct are merely frugal or greedy, while others are coercive or controlling.[159] The Department submitted that ‘generally, the kinds of examples of economic abuse which could be prosecuted occur in cases where there is long-term and extremely violent conduct occurring’.[160]
13.82 Some organisations and individuals expressed particular support for an offence of emotional abuse.[161] For example, the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse argued:
Emotional abuse which causes harm which undermines community safety and the public interest ought to be addressed under criminal laws. There are many anecdotes from within our sector of emotional abuse of women and children which would have the requisite seriousness and severity to suggest applicability of criminal laws.[162]
Submissions opposing new offences
13.83 Many submissions opposed new offences for similar reasons to those applying to an umbrella offence. Stakeholders identified difficulties in defining, proving, administering and enforcing the offences.[163] For example, the Victorian Government argued that emotional abuse would be ‘very difficult to define with the degree of specificity necessary to constitute a criminal offence’.[164] While neither supporting nor opposing new offences, National Legal Aid cited the difficulty in distinguishing between merely frugal or greedy and coercive and controlling conduct as a potential problem in defining an economic abuse offence, rather than as a protection against inappropriate use. [165]
13.84 Some stakeholders considered that economic and emotional abuse are adequately addressed by existing offences such as fraud, blackmail and fraudulently inducing a person to invest.[166] NAAJA expressed ‘grave concerns’ that criminalising economic and emotional abuse ‘would result in more Aboriginal people being incarcerated with little or no idea why’.[167]
Commissions’ views
Overall approach to new criminal offences
13.85 Overall, the Commissions take the view that it would be premature to recommend any new forms of family-violence related criminal offences at the present time. In taking this position, the Commissions are guided by a number of factors, including:
the necessarily high-level analysis of criminal offences in this Inquiry, having regard to the breadth of the Commissions’ Terms of Reference;
the substantial difficulties associated with conceptualising and defining effective and enforceable new offences;
the identified scope for improvements to existing criminal justice responses to family violence—including in the enforcement of existing offences;
the absence of detailed evidence about the operation of recent reforms in some jurisdictions—for example, aggravated offences in Western Australia and South Australia, and economic and emotional abuse offences in Tasmania; and
the significant divisions of stakeholder opinions on the preferable form of any new offence provisions.
13.86 The Commissions regard the third factor as particularly determinative. Most submissions supporting new criminal offences did so on the basis that existing criminal law responses—in particular, sentencing discretion—failed to recognise adequately the nature and dynamics of family violence. A key theme was that new offence provisions would provide direction and guidance. While new offences may be one means of achieving this outcome, the Commissions consider that new offences are justified only where it can be established that the mischief sought to be addressed cannot be adequately dealt with under the existing legislative framework. To this end, the Commissions make recommendations for practical reforms aimed at improving the understanding of the dynamics of family violence in criminal justice responses. These include recommendations directed at the sentencing of family-violence related offences[168] and the development of specialised family violence courts and police units.[169] The Commissions consider that these measures should be implemented and given an opportunity to take effect as a precondition to any future consideration of creating new criminal offences. The Commissions reiterate their view that improvements in the criminal justice response are only part of an integrated response to family violence.
13.87 In taking this position, the Commissions do not categorically oppose the development of new offences in the future. Rather, they emphasise the importance of an incremental and evidence-based approach to the recognition of family violence in criminal laws. In the Commissions’ view, a preferable approach would be for jurisdictions to focus on improving their existing practices, undertaking ongoing evaluations of current measures—particularly recent reforms—and remaining open to considering new offences in the longer term, on a needs basis.
An umbrella offence of family violence
13.88 The Commissions do not support the creation of an umbrella offence of family violence at this time. The Commissions maintain their preliminary view expressed in the Consultation Paper that there are significant difficulties in conceptualising the exact parameters of an umbrella offence, and in particular whether such an offence should be framed to include conduct that is not generally recognised under existing criminal laws—for example, economic and emotional abuse. This raises a fundamental issue concerning the proper delineation of civil and criminal redress. As discussed below, the Commissions are not satisfied that it is necessary or appropriate to criminalise such conduct.
13.89 The Commissions agree with those submissions identifying practical difficulties in particularising the conduct captured by an umbrella offence. In addition to potential constitutional impediments and prosecutorial reluctance to lay charges, an umbrella offence may present difficulties in providing accused persons with adequate particulars of the conduct constituting the charge. The Commissions acknowledge that these difficulties are not necessarily insurmountable—as demonstrated by the existence of course of conduct-based offences in Australian criminal laws in relation to persistent child sexual abuse. However, these offences have received limited use, and have been the subject of legal challenges necessitating amendments in some jurisdictions. In the Commissions’ view, this suggests a need to accumulate and evaluate experience in using course of conduct-based offences before they are replicated in other areas.[170]
13.90 The Commissions acknowledge, however, that an umbrella offence may potentially recognise and facilitate understanding of the dynamics of family violence in the criminal justice system. The significant anecdotal evidence presented by stakeholders suggests that there is currently an inconsistent understanding of the dynamics of family violence on the part of system participants—including police, lawyers and judicial officers. However, the Commissions consider that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that improvements cannot be realised within existing frameworks, or that an umbrella offence would necessarily achieve the desired outcomes.
13.91 The Commissions agree with stakeholder suggestions that a preferable approach would be for state and territory governments to examine the operation of—and consider making improvements to—existing responses before contemplating an umbrella offence. To this end, the Commissions make recommendations in respect of recognising courses of conduct in sentencing,[171] integrated responses and best practice,[172] and specialised prosecution and policing measures.[173]
13.92 The Commissions further acknowledge the importance of education and training measures to improve understanding of the dynamics of family violence within the system. This includes the relevance of family violence-related evidence in the prosecution of existing criminal offences. The Commissions endorse the recommendation of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children for the production of a national bench book on family violence, in consultation with jurisdictions, and as part of a national professional development program for judicial officers on family violence. The Commissions consider that such a bench book should, among other things, specifically address the potential relevance of family-violence related evidence in respect of offences committed in the family violence context. This matter is the subject of Recommendation 13–1(a) below.
Aggravated offences with a higher maximum penalty
13.93 Similarly, the Commissions do not recommend the development of aggravated offences committed in the family violence context at this time. Aggravated offences may potentially serve educational or denunciatory functions, and may be a more feasible option than an umbrella offence in that they are based on existing criminal offences. However, the Commissions consider that there is insufficient evidence on which to make a recommendation for the creation of such offences.
13.94 The division of stakeholder preferences between aggravated offences and aggravating factors in sentencing make necessary further analysis of these alternatives before the enactment of aggravated offences can be considered. In particular, it would be necessary to examine the sufficiency and appropriateness of the range of existing basic and aggravated offences relevant to the family violence context and their application in practice, including:
the sufficiency of existing maximum penalties in punishing basic and aggravated offences committed in the family violence context;
the exercise of sentencing discretion in these cases;[174] and
in respect of existing basic offences—the substance and application of any relevant statutory sentencing factors in the family violence context.
13.95 Given the Commissions’ preference for incremental reform that first addresses matters of operation and implementation, they do not make any recommendations in relation to potential aggravated offences at this time. However, the matters listed above would be appropriate for detailed research and analysis by state and territory governments contemplating the introduction of aggravated family-violence related offences in the future.
13.96 As a general proposition, the Commissions consider that national consistency of criminal laws is a desirable objective. To that end, they recognise the benefit of considering aggravated family-violence related offences in a national forum such as the SCAG MCLOC. The considerable work undertaken on the Model Criminal Code—in particular the aggravated non-fatal offence provisions in Chapter 5[175]—should inform any future consideration of aggravated offences in the family violence context.
13.97 The Commissions note, however, that the Model Criminal Code provisions have been implemented inconsistently across jurisdictions. National consideration of aggravated offences in the family violence context may provide an opportunity to identify the reasons the aggravated offence provisions do not appear to have received uniform support. It may also facilitate consensus about the conceptual basis for the designation of aggravated offences, as distinct from allowing for aggravating circumstances to be taken into account in sentencing.
13.98 If jurisdictions elect to consider enacting aggravated family-violence related offences, the Commissions make four observations about the substance of such provisions. First, the Commissions caution against the prescription of minimum penalties as suggested in one submission.[176] In the context of discussing sentencing options in relation to federal offenders in the report Same Crime, Same Time: Sentencing of Federal Offenders (Report ALRC 103) the ALRC expressed the view that mandatory terms of imprisonment are generally incompatible with sound practice and principle. The ALRC emphasised the importance of sentencing discretion to enable justice to be done in individual cases, and concluded that the legislature should not prejudge the appropriate minimum penalty in legislation without regard to the facts of individual cases.[177] The Commissions endorse this view, which is consistent with the guiding principle of fairness identified in Chapter 3.
13.99 Secondly, the Commissions maintain their views expressed in the Consultation Paper that a defined family relationship between the victim and offender should not be the sole basis for aggravating an offence. In the Commissions’ view, this elevates, by definition, the status of offences committed against family members over those committed against strangers, without principled justification.[178] It further creates an unacceptable risk that persons may be charged with aggravated offences in circumstances where it may not always be just and appropriate to do so—for example, where an alleged offender has a mental illness, is a child with substance abuse issues, or is a victim of family violence who uses defensive force to protect themselves or another family member. While prosecutorial discretion may reduce the likelihood of prosecutions for aggravated offences in such circumstances, the Commissions consider that it is undesirable to leave open this possibility, given the gravity of the potential consequences for accused persons in these circumstances.
13.100 The Commissions acknowledge that factors additional or alternative to the existence of a family relationship may be more difficult to prove. However, the Commissions consider that the concept of family violence itself necessitates some form of proof of the underlying dynamics of power and control in the relationship. The mere existence of a family relationship between parties is inconclusive of this matter. Requiring proof of such matters is also proportionate to the increased gravity of the consequences for persons convicted of aggravated offences.
13.101 Thirdly, the Commissions take the view that the relevant factors of aggravation for offences should be the subject of further examination by those state and territory governments that elect to pursue aggravated family-violence related offences. This includes the question of whether aggravated offences should be created specifically in relation to family violence, or whether they should encompass offences committed in the context of relationships of power and control more generally. The Commissions tend towards the latter option because it would avoid the potential problems of elevating the status of violence committed against a family member over similar violence committed against a stranger. The Commissions also reiterate their comments about the desirability of national consistency.
13.102 In the Consultation Paper, the Commissions cited the commission of an offence within a pattern of coercive, controlling or dominating behaviour as an example of a potential circumstance warranting a charge for an aggravated offence. The Commissions agree with stakeholder contentions that this exact formulation may be problematic. In particular, it may capture non-criminal conduct or take into account uncharged conduct. The Commissions consider that the circumstances of aggravation contained in the Model Criminal Code pertaining to the commission of offences during torture or in the abuse of a relationship of trust or authority may provide an instructive basis for further consideration. In particular, the Commissions note that such offences are capable of application to all forms of violence without distinction on the basis of the relationship between the accused person and the victim.
13.103 Finally, the Commissions suggest that jurisdictions considering the introduction of aggravated family-violence related offences should clearly address the relationship between these offences and existing circumstances of aggravation in sentencing legislation. For example, where an accused person is charged with a basic offence in respect of conduct that could have sustained a charge under an aggravated offence, the sentencing legislation should make express provision as to the relevance, if any, that the aggravating circumstances may have in sentencing. The Commissions also emphasise the importance of prosecutorial guidelines, education and training addressing the appropriate use of any aggravated family-violence related offences.
Sub-categories of existing offences committed in a family violence context, without a higher maximum penalty
13.104 The Commissions do not make any recommendations in respect of separate offences—which do not attract higher maximum penalties—where they are committed against persons who are in a defined family relationship with the offender. The Commissions acknowledge that such offences could play a potential educative function, and that they may not necessarily ‘clutter’ existing criminal laws. However, the Commissions consider that the creation of new offences for educative purposes should be undertaken only where there is a demonstrated need for this particular form of response. The Commissions are not convinced that the options for implementing educative measures within existing frameworks have been exhausted.[179]
Federal offences
13.105 The Commissions do not make any recommendations in respect of the creation of new federal family-violence related offences. The Commissions consider that the absence of adequate statistics on the types of existing federal offences committed against family members[180] precludes the making of further recommendations about the creation of new offences and the nature of penalties. This matter would be appropriate for further consideration once such baseline evidence is available.
13.106 The Commissions acknowledge the concerns expressed by stakeholders about the enforcement of breaches of protection orders that are committed by offenders located in other states. However, the Commissions are unconvinced that a new scheme of federal offences—such as the United States Violence Against Women Act—is an appropriate response at this time. In Chapter 30, the Commissions endorse the recommendation of the National Council for the development of a national protection orders database, as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the implementation of a system for the registration and recognition of protection orders. The Commissions consider that these measures will facilitate the enforcement of protection orders across state and territory boundaries, however they emphasise the importance of undertaking ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outcomes. The Commissions further observe that any future consideration of new federal offences in the nature of the United States Violence Against Women Act would require identification of an appropriate head of Commonwealth constitutional power.
Economic and emotional abuse offences
13.107 The Commissions do not make any recommendations in respect of economic or emotional abuse offences. Overall, stakeholder views confirmed the Commissions’ preliminary concerns about the feasibility of criminalising economic and emotional abuse, and the absence of evidence to justify the creation of new offences. In particular, the Commissions note the difficulties in defining the conduct captured by these offences with sufficient particularity. They also note the potential difficulties in enforcing and proving these offences beyond reasonable doubt. The Commissions further note that there have been no prosecutions for such offences in Tasmania—the only jurisdiction to have embraced this approach. Accordingly, there is no evidence base to allow adequate consideration of this issue at this stage.
13.108 In addition, a discrete offence for economic abuse appears to be unnecessary given the existence of other criminal offences such as: obtaining a financial advantage or causing financial disadvantage;[181] obtaining property belonging to another;[182] fraud;[183] and failure to provide the necessities of life.[184] As noted above, coercing a family member to claim a social security payment is recognised as economic abuse amounting to family violence in some jurisdictions.[185] Such behaviour could conceivably also fall within the ambit of offences under social security legislation or the Criminal Code (Cth) relating to fraudulent conduct.
13.109 Evidence of economic and emotional abuse may also have broader relevance to existing criminal offences and defences where patterns of family-violence related behaviour are relevant to the facts in issue. For example, evidence of patterns of past abuse may be relevant to defences where victims of family violence commit crimes under duress or in self-defence.
13.110 In addition, as identified in Chapter 5, economic and emotional abuse may be the subject of a civil family violence protection order. Breach of a protection order is a criminal offence in all Australian states and territories. Existing civil laws may also provide remedies for some instances of economic abuse. For example, contracts review legislation[186] or common law or equitable remedies may be used to set aside or vary unjust financial contracts—such as where a family violence victim is coerced to sign a document transferring property. The Commissions note that there may arguably be a material inequality in the bargaining power of a victim of family violence and an aggressor, such that it may not be reasonably practicable for a victim of family violence to negotiate a contract with or for the benefit of the aggressor.
13.111 The Commissions make no recommendations in respect of the existing offences in the Tasmanian family violence legislation, in the absence of evidence about their operation. However, the Commissions emphasise the importance of the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of these provisions, with a view to ensuring that they are enforceable in practice.
[6]Comment on ALRC Family Violence Online Forum: Women’s Legal Service Providers.
[7] D Tuerkheimer, ‘Recognizing and Remedying the Harm to Battering: A Call to Criminalize Domestic Violence’ (2003) 94 Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology 959, 972. See also A Burke, ‘Domestic Violence as a Crime of Pattern and Intent: An Alternative Reconceptualization’ (2006) 75 George Washington Law Review 552.
[8] For a recent summary of offences commonly charged in the family violence context in NSW see C Ringland and J Fitzgerald, Factors which Influence the Sentencing of Domestic Violence Offenders, New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research Issues Paper 48 (July 2010).
[9] However, evidence of broader histories of abuse may be admissible in the prosecution of individual offences where relevant to a fact in issue and subject to exclusionary rules. This point is discussed below.
[10] Comment on ALRC Family Violence Online Forum: Women’s Legal Service Providers.
[11] Ibid.
[12] V Tadros, ‘The Distinctiveness of Domestic Abuse: A Freedom Based Account’ (2004) 65 Louisiana Law Review 989.
[13] D Tuerkheimer, ‘Recognizing and Remedying the Harm to Battering: A Call to Criminalize Domestic Violence’ (2003) 94 Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology 959, 983–984.
[14] See, eg, C Forster, ‘The Failure of Criminal Injuries Compensation Schemes for Victims of Intra-Familial Abuse: The Example of Queensland’ (2002) 10 Torts Law Journal 143; I Barrett Meyering, Victim Compensation and Domestic Violence: A National Overview (2010), prepared for the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse.
[15] Crime Reduction Centre Information Team, Safety and Justice: The Government’s Proposals on Domestic Violence (2003), 30.
[16] A Bill to Protect Families and Enhance Public Safety by Making Domestic Violence a Crime 2007 SP 571 LD 1627, 123rd session (Maine).
[17] An Act To Protect Families and Enhance Public Safety by Making Domestic Violence a Crime 2008 17-A MRSA (Maine) §§ 207-A, 209-A, 210-B, 210-C, and 211-A. The ‘domestic violence crimes’ are: domestic violence assault; domestic violence criminal threatening; domestic violence terrorising; domestic violence stalking; and domestic violence reckless conduct.
[18] Committee Amendment, Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Filing No S-276, June 11, 2007.
[19] Directorate General of Human Rights—Council of Europe, Legislation in the Member States of the Council of Europe in the Field of Violence Against Women (2007).
[20] ‘Statement by Ms Ingegerd Sahlström, State Secretary for Equality Affairs’ (Press Release, 3 March 1998).
[21]Indian Penal Code 1860 s 498A, introduced by Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act 1983 (India). This provision prohibits husbands, or relatives of husbands, from subjecting a woman to ‘cruelty’, with a maximum sentence of three years. ‘Cruelty’ is defined to include any wilful conduct likely to drive the woman to commit suicide, or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or harassment of the woman, with a view to coercing her or a related person to meet unlawful demands for property or security, or as a consequence of a failure to meet such a demand.
[22] Centre for Social Research, A Research Study on the Use and Misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (2005).
[23] Queensland Government Office for Women, Report of the Taskforce on Women and the Criminal Code (2000), Rec 52.1.
[24] Ibid, 81.
[25] See, eg, A Burke, ‘Domestic Violence as a Crime of Pattern and Intent: An Alternative Reconceptualization’ (2006) 75 George Washington Law Review 552; D Tuerkheimer, ‘Recognizing and Remedying the Harm to Battering: A Call to Criminalize Domestic Violence’ (2003) 94 Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology 959; and D Tuerkheimer, ‘Renewing the Call to Criminalize Domestic Violence: An Assessment Three Years Later’ (2006) 75 Georgetown Washington University Law Review 613.
[26] D Tuerkheimer, ‘Recognizing and Remedying the Harm to Battering: A Call to Criminalize Domestic Violence’ (2003) 94 Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology 959, 1019–1020.
[27] A Burke, ‘Domestic Violence as a Crime of Pattern and Intent: An Alternative Reconceptualization’ (2006) 75 George Washington Law Review 552, 556.
[28] Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 66EA; Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 47A; Criminal Code (Qld) s 229B; Criminal Code (WA) s 321A; Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) s 50; Criminal Code (Tas) s 125A; Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) s 56; Criminal Code (NT) s 131A. See also Model Criminal Code Officers Committee of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, Model Criminal Code—Chapter 5: Sexual Offences Against the Person (1999), cl 5.2.14.
[29] See, eg, Model Criminal Code Officers Committee of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, Model Criminal Code—Chapter 5: Sexual Offences Against the Person (1999), 133–137. See also,
S v The Queen (1989) 168 CLR 266.
[30] See, eg, Criminal Code (Qld) s 320A; Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) s 36.
[31] Queensland Government Office for Women, Report of the Taskforce on Women and the Criminal Code (2000), Rec 52.3.
[32]Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) s 5AA(1)(g).
[33] Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) ss 5AA(1)(a), 5AA(1)(i).
[34] Model Criminal Code (1st ed, 2009), cl 5.1.41.
[35]R v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383.
[36] ‘Family and domestic relationship’ in s 221 has the same meaning that it has in the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA) s 4: Criminal Code Act Compilation 1913 (WA) s 221(2).
[37]Criminal Code Act Compilation 1913 (WA) s 221.
[38] The Criminal Code Act Compilation 1913 (WA) s 297, sets out a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 10 years for grievous bodily harm, and imprisonment for 14 years where grievous bodily harm is committed in circumstances of aggravation.
[39] The recognition of family relationships in criminal laws is considered further in Ch 14.
[40] See Directorate General of Human Rights—Council of Europe, Legislation in the Member States of the Council of Europe in the Field of Violence Against Women (2007), 18.
[41] See, eg Alabama Code §§ 13A–6–130 (domestic violence offences based upon assaults committed against family members); Mississippi Code § 97–3–7(3),(4) (domestic violence offences based upon assaults committed against family members); Missouri Annotated Statutes § 565.072–074 (domestic violence offences based upon various offences against the person, including attempted murder and causing physical injury); Montana Code § 45–5–206(3) (partner or family member assault); Nevada Revised Statutes § 200.485(1) (battery which constitutes domestic violence); and Ohio Revised Code § 2919.25(D) (domestic violence offence based upon causing or threatening to cause physical harm to a family member).
[42]Georgia Code § 16–5–20(d).
[43] Subject to the principle in R v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383,discussed further below.
[44] The use of non-mitigating sentencing factors in the family violence context is discussed below in relation to sentencing.
[45]Kingswell v The Queen (1985) 159 CLR 264, 281; R v Meaton (1986) 160 CLR 359, 363–364.
[46] Matters adverse to the interests of an accused person must be established beyond reasonable doubt, whereas matters favourable to his or her interests need only be established on the balance of probabilities: R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270, 281. The labelling of factors as aggravating or mitigating is not necessarily determinative of their characterisation as adverse or favourable: R v Storey [1998] 1 VR, 371.
[47] Model Criminal Code Officers Committee of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, Model Criminal Code—Chapter 5: Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (1998), 113.
[48] Ibid, cl 5.1.38, 111–117. These provisions appear in the consolidated Model Criminal Code (1st ed, 2009) as cl 5.41.
[49] Ibid, 115.
[50] Ibid, 115.
[51] See, eg, Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 21A(2)(a),(c), (ea), (k).
[52] See, eg, Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) ss 5AA (a)-(d), 5AA(i). See also s 5AA(1)(e), which adopts the Model Criminal Code provision for the commission of an offence against a child but specifies different age ranges.
[53] R v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383, 389.
[54] See, eg, Huntingdon v R [2007] NSWCCA; Rend v R [2006] NSWCCA; R v Newham [2005] NSWCCA.
[55] R v De Simoni (1981) 147 CLR 383, 391.
[56]R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA; R v Solomon (2005) 153 A Crim R 32; Elyard v R [2006] NSWCCA, [39].
[57]R v Way (2004) 60 NSWLR 168, 189–190.
[58]Elyard v R [2006] NSWCCA, [43].
[59] Ibid, [9]–[10].
[60] Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) s 5AA(6).
[61] Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW) s 12.
[62] In addition, the recording of a domestic violence offence enables the prosecution to make an application to the court requesting that previous convictions are similarly recorded as domestic violence offences: Ibid s 12(3)–(6).
[63] Bail Act 1978 (NSW) s 9(1A)(1). The Bail Act also displaces the presumption in favour of bail where the accused person has been violent to the other person in the past, whether or not the accused person has been convicted of an offence in respect of the violence: s 9A (1A)(b).
[64] Bail Act 1978 (NSW) s 9(1A)(2). Bail is discussed in Ch 10.
[65] Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 21A(2)(d).
[66] Domestic Violence and Protection Orders Act 2008 (ACT) s 13, sch 1. But see Bail Act 1992 (ACT) s 9F.
[67]Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas) s 8.
[68]Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas) s 9. ‘Course of conduct’ is defined to include limiting the freedom of movement of a person’s spouse or partner by means of threats or intimidation.
[69] Tasmania, Parliamentary Debates, House of Assembly, 18 November 2004, 166 (J Jackson—Attorney General and Minister for Justice and Industrial Relations), 100–101.
[70] The 2008 review of the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas) commented that stakeholders were awaiting the first case based on the offence of economic abuse. While no charge had been brought for emotional abuse and intimidation, that ground has been used in support of applications for protection orders: Urbis, Review of the Family Violence Act 2004 (2008), prepared for the Department of Justice (Tas), 11–12.
[71]Wilson v R (1970) 123 CLR 334, 339. Such evidence may also be excluded where its prejudicial value outweighs its probative value.
[72] R v Anderson (2000) 1 VR 1, 12. For example, evidence of a victim’s fear of her partner has been admitted to support an inference that she did not provoke him to murder her: R v Gojanovic (2002) 130 A Crim R 179. See also R v Parsons (2000) 1 VR 161.
[73] See, eg, R v AH (1997) 42 NSWLR 702.
[74] See, eg Rodden v R [2008] NSWCCA; Gipp v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 106.
[75]R v Middendorp [2010] VSC. The accused was found guilty of the defensive homicide of his partner: see R v Middendorp [2010] VSC.
[76] See Criminal Code (Qld) Chs 28–30.
[77] R v PAB [2006] QCA, [28]. See also, Victorian Law Reform Commission, Defences to Homicide: Consultation Paper (2003), 134–135.
[78] Queensland Government Office for Women, Report of the Taskforce on Women and the Criminal Code (2000), Rec 55.
[79] See, eg, Judicial College of Victoria, Victorian Criminal Charge Book (updated 12 July 2010), 4.16, which refers to family-violence related case law; Supreme Court of Queensland, Equal Treatment Bench Book (2005), 14.4.2.
[80] See, eg, P Easteal and C Feerick, ‘Sexual Assault by Male Partners: Is the Licence Still Valid?’ (2005) 8(2) Flinders Journal of Law Reform 185, 197–201. The authors identify inconsistencies in the treatment of relationship evidence in ‘partner rape’ trials from 1993 to 2002.
[81] The Australian Constitution does not give the Australian Parliament a general power to make criminal laws. States and territories have primary constitutional responsibility for criminal law as part of their plenary powers to legislate for the peace, order and good government of their jurisdictions. The Commonwealth derives its constitutional authority primarily from specific heads of power in the Australian Constitution—for example, the enumerated legislative powers in s 51 and the executive power in s 61. See further Australian Law Reform Commission, Same Crime, Same Time: Sentencing of Federal Offenders, Report 103 (2006), [1.40]–[1.48].
[82]Violence Against Women Act of 1994 18 USC (US) §§ 2261, 2261A, 2262.
[83]Gun Control Act of 1968 18 USC (US) § 922(d), (g).
[84]Violence Against Women Act of 1994 18 USC (US) §§ 2261(b), 2262(b).
[85]Gun Control Act of 1968 18 USC (US)§ 924(2).
[86]Criminal Code 1985 RSC c C–46 (Canada) ss 229–231, 235, 265–268.
[87] Ibid ss 264, 264.1, 372, 423, 430.
[88] Ibid ss 151–153, 155, 170–172, 215, 218, 280–283.
[89] Ibid ss 127, 145(3), 733.1, 811.
[90] Ibid s 231(6).
[91] Australian Law Reform Commission and New South Wales Law Reform Commission, Family Violence: Improving Legal Frameworks, ALRC Consultation Paper 1, NSWLRC Consultation Paper 9 (2010), Question 7–1.
[92] Ibid, Questions 7–2(a), 7–3, 7–4.
[93] Ibid, Question 7–2(b).
[94] Ibid, Question 5–5.
[95] Ibid, Question 7–4.
[96] Ibid, Question 7–1.
[97] Confidential, Submission FV 190, 25 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 164, 25 June 2010; P Easteal, Submission FV 38, 13 May 2010. A small number of submissions from individuals supported a discrete offence without providing reasons: Confidential, Submission FV 130, 21 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 125, 20 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 109, 8 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 105, 6 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 82, 2 June 2010; M Condon, Submission FV 45, 18 May 2010. See also Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Submission FV 236, 20 July 2010, which commented that ‘the sector is generally supportive’ of a discrete offence.
[98] Confidential, Submission FV 164, 25 June 2010. See also C Pragnell, Submission FV 70, 2 June 2010, who suggested that a discrete offence was necessary to recognise that family violence includes elements of violence that are not usually present in violence committed against persons unrelated to the offender.
[99] P Easteal, Submission FV 38, 13 May 2010.
[100] Ibid, citing studies including: J Kennedy, P Easteal and C Taylor, ‘Rape Mythology and the Criminal Justice System: A Pilot Study of Sexual Assault Sentencing in Victoria’ (2009) 23 Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault Aware Newsletter 13; P Easteal and C Feerick, ‘Sexual Assault by Male Partners: Is the Licence Still Valid?’ (2005) 8(2) Flinders Journal of Law Reform 185; P Easteal and M Gani, ‘Sexual Assault by Male Partners: a Study of Sentencing Variables’ (2005) 9 Southern Cross University Law Review 39; C Taylor, Court Licensed Abuse: Patriarchal Lore and the Legal Response to Intrafamilial Sexual Abuse of Children (2004).
[101] Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions NSW, Submission FV 158, 25 June 2010.
[102] Confidential, Submission FV 190, 25 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 105, 6 June 2010.
[103] A Cannon, Submission FV 137, 23 June 2010; No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association Inc, Submission FV 136, 22 June 2010; Local Court of NSW, Submission FV 101, 4 June 2010; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (WA), Consultation, Perth, 4 May 2010.
[104] Local Court of NSW, Submission FV 101, 4 June 2010.
[105] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010.
[106] A Cannon, Submission FV 137, 23 June 2010.
[107] Ibid.
[108] No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association Inc, Submission FV 136, 22 June 2010.
[109] National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010; Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Submission FV 185, 25 June 2010; Queensland Law Society, Submission FV 178, 25 June 2010; A Cannon, Submission FV 137, 23 June 2010; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (WA), Consultation, Perth, 4 May 2010.
[110] National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010; Legal Aid NSW, Submission FV 219, 1 July 2010; Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Network, Submission FV 46, 24 May 2010.
[111] Local Court of NSW, Submission FV 101, 4 June 2010.
[112] Ibid.
[113] Law Society of New South Wales, Submission FV 205, 30 June 2010.
[114] Ibid. See also North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Submission FV 194, 25 June 2010, which expressed similar views on sentencing discretion in family violence cases generally. Sentencing is considered further below.
[115] Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Submission FV 185, 25 June 2010; Queensland Law Society, Submission FV 178, 25 June 2010.
[116] Queensland Law Society, Submission FV 178, 25 June 2010.
[117] Ibid.
[118] Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Submission FV 185, 25 June 2010.
[119] Inner City Legal Centre and The Safe Relationships Project, Submission FV 192, 25 June 2010; J Stubbs, Submission FV 186, 25 June 2010; Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010.
[120] Confidential, Submission FV 198, 25 June 2010.
[121] Inner City Legal Centre and The Safe Relationships Project, Submission FV 192, 25 June 2010; Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010. See also Berry Street Inc, Submission FV 163, 25 June 2010 which acknowledged the need to recognise the nature and dynamics of family violence and discussed the merits and drawbacks of various options, but expressed uncertainty as to how best to proceed.
[122] P Easteal, Submission FV 38, 13 May 2010.
[123] Ibid.
[124] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010.
[125] Consultation Paper, Question 7–2.
[126] Australian Law Reform Commission and New South Wales Law Reform Commission, Family Violence: Improving Legal Frameworks, ALRC Consultation Paper 1, NSWLRC Consultation Paper 9 (2010), Question 7–4.
[127] Ibid.
[128] Aggravating and mitigating factors in sentencing are considered below.
[129] As outlined below.
[130] See, eg, J Stubbs, Submission FV 186, 25 June 2010; Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Submission FV 185, 25 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 184, 25 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 183, 25 June 2010; Queensland Law Society, Submission FV 178, 25 June 2010; N Ross, Submission FV 129, 21 June 2010.
[131] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010; Peninsula Community Legal Centre, Submission FV 174, 25 June 2010; Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 164, 25 June 2010; Domestic Violence Victoria, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria, Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria, Victorian Women with Disabilities Network, Submission FV 146, 24 June 2010; No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association Inc, Submission FV 136, 22 June 2010; National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence, Submission FV 195, 25 June 2010
[132] Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010.
[133] Confidential, Submission FV 164, 25 June 2010.
[134] Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010; Confidential, Submission FV 164, 25 June 2010; Domestic Violence Victoria, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria, Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria, Victorian Women with Disabilities Network, Submission FV 146, 24 June 2010; No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association Inc, Submission FV 136, 22 June 2010.
[135] Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Submission FV 185, 25 June 2010.
[136] J Stubbs, Submission FV 186, 25 June 2010.
[137] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010; North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Submission FV 194, 25 June 2010; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions NSW, Submission FV 158, 25 June 2010; Local Court of NSW, Submission FV 101, 4 June 2010. See also Law Society of New South Wales, Submission FV 205, 30 June 2010, which commented on the importance of sentencing discretion generally.
[138] National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010.
[139] Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions NSW, Submission FV 158, 25 June 2010; Local Court of NSW, Submission FV 101, 4 June 2010. See also National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010.
[140] Law Society of New South Wales, Submission FV 205, 30 June 2010; North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Submission FV 194, 25 June 2010.
[141] North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Submission FV 194, 25 June 2010.
[142] Ibid.
[143] Ibid. NAAJA also referred to circumstances of aggravation in relation to assault offences in the Northern Territory Criminal Code that it considered inappropriately removed judicial sentencing discretion—for example, where the victim is female and the defendant is male, or where the victim is a child under the age of 16 years and the defendant is an adult. NAAJA submitted that it is not always just or appropriate to mandate these circumstances as aggravating.
[144] National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010. See also Law Society of New South Wales, Submission FV 205, 30 June 2010, which expressed the general view that, as a matter of fairness, an offender should not be sentenced on the basis of uncharged conduct.
[145] Consultation Paper, Question 7–2(b).
[146] P Easteal, Submission FV 38, 13 May 2010.
[147] Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010.
[148] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010; No To Violence Male Family Violence Prevention Association Inc, Submission FV 136, 22 June 2010.
[149] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010.
[150] National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence, Submission FV 195, 25 June 2010.
[151] Consultation Paper, Question 7–4.
[152] See, eg, J Stubbs, Submission FV 186, 25 June 2010; Queensland Law Society, Submission FV 178, 25 June 2010; Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010.
[153] However one legal service provider expressed a general view that federal offences pertaining to sexual assault should be included in any such approach: Confidential, Submission FV 183, 25 June 2010.
[154] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010.
[155] Consultation Paper, Question 5–5.
[156] See, eg, C Pragnell, Submission FV 70, 2 June 2010; National Peak Body for Safety and Protection of Parents and Children, Submission FV 47, 24 May 2010; M Condon, Submission FV 45, 18 May 2010.
[157] Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Submission FV 236, 20 July 2010.
[158] Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Submission FV 236, 20 July 2010. National Legal Aid also commented upon these particular effects, without expressing a view on the desirability of creating discrete offences: National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010.
[159] Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Submission FV 236, 20 July 2010. See also, the submission of National Legal Aid, which cited these factors as potential impediments to the creation and appropriate use of an economic abuse offence: National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010.
[160] Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Submission FV 236, 20 July 2010.
[161] Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, Submission FV 216, 30 June 2010; K Johnstone, Submission FV 107, 7 June 2010; T Searle, Submission FV 108, 2 June 2010.
[162] Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, Submission FV 216, 30 June 2010.
[163] Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010; Legal Aid NSW, Submission FV 219, 1 July 2010; Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre Inc, Submission FV 212, 28 June 2010; J Stubbs, Submission FV 186, 25 June 2010; Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria, Submission FV 173, 25 June 2010; Police Association of New South Wales, Submission FV 145, 24 June 2010; Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service Network, Submission FV 46, 24 May 2010.
[164] Victorian Government, Submission FV 120, 15 June 2010. See also Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010.
[165] National Legal Aid, Submission FV 232, 15 July 2010, cf the views of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas): Department of Premier and Cabinet (Tas), Submission FV 236, 20 July 2010.
[166] Victorian Government, Submission FV 120, 15 June 2010. See also Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court of Victoria, Submission FV 220, 1 July 2010.
[167] North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Submission FV 194, 25 June 2010.
[168] See Recs 13–1(b) and 13–3 below.
[169] See Ch 32.
[170] The specific offences pertaining to persistent child sexual abuse are considered in Ch 25.
[171] Recommendations 13–1, 13–2 and 13–3 below.
[172] Ch 29.
[173] Ch 32.
[174] For example, the extent to which circumstances of family violence are recognised as aggravating factors in appropriate cases. See, eg, R v MFP [2001] VSCA .
[175] Model Criminal Code (1st edn, 2009) cl 5.1.41.
[176] Confidential, Submission FV 164, 25 June 2010.
[177] Australian Law Reform Commission, Same Crime, Same Time: Sentencing of Federal Offenders, Report 103 (2006), [6.61], [6.65]–[6.61], Rec 6–1.
[178] The Commissions emphasise, however, that this point is distinct from the recognition, where appropriate, of a family relationship between the offender and the victim as an aggravating factor in sentencing, as a matter of sentencing discretion: see R v MFP [2001] VSCA , discussed below.
[179] In Ch 5, the Commissions express their views on the separate issue of linking the definitions of family violence in family violence legislation to the criminal law, through the designation of specific ‘family violence offences’.
[180] See Ch 5.
[181] See, eg, Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 192D.
[182] See, eg, Ibid s 192C.
[183] See, eg, Ibid s 192E.
[184] These offences are discussed in the context of child protection in Ch 20.
[185] See, eg, Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) s 6.
[186] See, eg, Contracts Review Act 1980 (NSW) s 7.