Multiple, intersecting problems need collaborative service responses. And few issues are as complex and intersectional as domestic and family violence.
Our submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs 2020 Inquiry into Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence draws on our research and the expertise of practitioners working in health justice partnerships, including some funded specifically to support people experiencing domestic and family violence, to provide evidence about health justice partnerships as a prevention and early intervention strategy to respond to the health and legal issues that can lead to, and entrench, disadvantage in the lives of people who experience domestic and family violence.
Our submission responds to the terms of reference exploring:
- The level and impact of coordination, accountability for, and access to services and policy responses across the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, local governments, non government and community organisations, and business.
- The way that health, housing, access to services, including legal services, and women’s economic independence impact on the ability of women to escape domestic violence.
- The experiences of all women, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, rural women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, LGBTQI women, women with a disability, and women on temporary visas.
- The impact of natural disasters and other significant events such as COVID-19, including health requirements such as staying at home, on the prevalence of domestic violence and provision of support services.
- The views and experiences of frontline services, advocacy groups and others throughout this unprecedented time.
