WITH the International Day for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day just around the corner, the release of the report on today's front page is timely.
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The Why Didn't You Ask? report clearly states that women want their concerns for safety heard and respected.
As Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre social worker Courtney Lucanto says, for too long victims of family violence have not had the chance to say what is is they want out of the court process and the justice system.
The findings are clear: women do not feel safe attending rural courts, they often arrive at court not knowing what to expect from the legal process or how an Intervention Order will meet their needs.
A high priority for women is ensuring their children are safe and moving on from the harm that has been caused.
Importantly, women also want their partner or former partner's behaviour monitored and for them to acknowledge the harm they had done.
The report found there is room for improvement for the experiences of women attending court in relation to family violence - and noted often the lack of support available stopped women attending court for IVO court hearings.
It says women who go to court rely on being linked in to support services, which helps them feel safe.
For those women who are not linked in to services, there is fear associated with going to court.
It is noted there are some specialist family violence courts throughout the state which are better resourced and offer safer environments.
The specialist courts are better able to deal with both victims and perpetrators.
Perhaps it is time that Bendigo is given access to the same resources and a specialist family court is established in our city?
