Second article from Sun-Herald - Introduction of new laws in force

TOUGH domestic violence laws came into force in NSW to coincide with International Women's Day yesterday.

Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said the changes meant perpetrators would have the words "domestic violence" recorded next to the name of an offence such as assault.

"Cowards who abuse and attack their own family members will, from this day forward, have a black mark against their name," he said.

"Should a transgression occur, those people will be able to be dealt with on the basis that they have a history of a specific domestic violence offence as opposed to a generic offence. The next time they come before a judge or magistrate, the fact they had already committed the despicable act of domestic violence will be abundantly clear."

Police would be given special kits containing digital cameras to assist their investigations, and apprehended violence orders would automatically extend to children, he said.