31. Education and Data Collection

Recommendation 31–1 The Australian, state and territory governments and educational, professional and service delivery bodies should ensure regular and consistent education and training for participants in the family law, family violence and child protection systems, in relation to the nature and dynamics of family violence, including its impact on victims, in particular those from high risk and vulnerable groups.

Recommendation 31–2 The Australian, state and territory governments should collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and maintain a national bench book on family violence, including sexual assault, having regard to the Commissions’ recommendations in this Report in relation to the content that should be included in such a book.

Recommendation 31–3 Australian tertiary institutions offering legal qualifications should review their curriculums to ensure that legal issues concerning family violence are appropriately addressed.

Recommendation 31–4 Australian legal professional bodies should review continuing professional development requirements to ensure that legal issues concerning family violence are appropriately addressed.

Recommendation 31–5 The Australian, state and territory governments should collaborate in conducting a national audit of family violence training conducted by government and non-government agencies in order to:

  1. ensure that existing resources are best used;
  2. evaluate whether training meets best practice principles; and
  3. promote the development of best practice in training.

Recommendation 31–6 State and territory governments should undertake systemic and ongoing reviews into deaths resulting from family violence.