Domestic violence laws passed by Parliament

Wednesday, 05 December 2007

Offenders who are found guilty of domestic violence will for the first time have the shameful offence recorded
permanently against their name, after new laws were passed by Parliament, NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos
said today.

"Currently, when offences of violence, such as common assault, are recorded it doesn't specify if the crime was
committed in a domestic situation, which can make it difficult to track habitual offenders," Mr Hatzistergos said.

"Being convicted of the new offence of domestic violence would leave a permanent stain on a person's record and would
be taken into consideration by the courts during sentencing."

Other changes to domestic violence laws include:
· Making it easier for police to obtain interim AVOs by allowing them to get them via fax and email as well as by phone

· Allowing police to search for a greater range of potential weapons at a premises where a domestic violence offence has
occurred

· Giving police the power to demand the name of a person suspected of being the subject of an AVO

Mr Hatzistergos said the reforms would also ensure children of domestic violence victims were better protected.

"Previously, when a victim of domestic violence took out an AVO, children weren't necessarily included.

"Under these changes there will be a presumption that children will be included on the victim's AVO unless the court
decides there are good reasons for them not to be."

The changes also mean that any victim whose alleged attacker is charged with serious personal violence offences will
automatically be protected by an AVO until the matter is resolved in court.

"The Iemma Government made an election promise to address the scourge of domestic violence and these reforms will
help make NSW homes safer," Mr Hatzistergos said.

Source: Lawlink NSW