The latest report of the NSW Coroner’s domestic violence death review team contains shocking data and worthwhile suggestions but also some dubious claims. The extent of the scourge of domestic violence documented in the report will astonish people. As we reported yesterday, one-third of all NSW murders are cases of domestic violence; worse, three out of five murders of women are acts of domestic violence. The report, tabled in Parliament this week, recommends that decisions about licensed premises should take account of the link between domestic violence and alcohol consumption. It suggests that in areas where domestic violence is common, licensing rules should restrict the sale of alcohol. The same principle has been applied elsewhere.
The team suggested apprehended domestic violence orders should apply for longer than the standard 12 months. This also seems completely reasonable, although it may be up to an individual’s lawyer to request a longer period for the order; the government does need to become involved to make it mandatory.