The Criminalisation of Family Violence: How Can We Reimagine Justice for Victim Survivors?
Tracks
Ballroom 2
| Monday, November 27, 2023 |
| 2:30 PM - 3:50 PM |
Overview
Alina Thomas & Carolyn Self, Engender Equality
Speaker
Ms Carolyn Self
Social Enterprise & Business Development Manager
Engender Equality
The Criminalisation of Family Violence: How Can We Reimagine Justice for Victim Survivors?
Abstract
In Australia, we are seen to provide justice to victim-survivors via robust response mechanisms enacted by the criminal justice framework, alongside community based response systems. The experiences of victim-survivors of family violence, however, tell a story of a justice framework that instead of providing justice, works to exacerbate a victim’s trauma, increase their risk to safety, and may even put them at risk of criminalisation themselves.
This presentation explores the current justice frameworks in place, how they intersect, and the challenges victim-survivors experience in accessing justice through the mechanisms available.
Through the consideration of three distinct case studies of victim-survivors experiences, we reimagine how justice may be achieved via meaningful and accessible support, and genuine opportunities for perpetrator accountability.
Facilitated discussion will further explore options for improvement in this space, including the introduction/strengthening of coercive control laws, review of sentencing practices or moves towards restorative justice; and the integration of specialist services into the criminal justice response.
This engaging, important and current presentation topic will allow conference delegates to embrace the following learning outcomes:
Possess a nuanced and comprehensive knowledge of the current frameworks in place to enact justice for victim survivors.
An understanding informed by lived experience, of the experiences of victim-survivors in attempting to access justice, and the barriers that exist which may make the justice process problematic for victim-survivor to pursue.
An appreciation and reflective consideration of possible reforms that may contribute to victim-survivors meaningful access to justice in the future, and inspiration to advocate for systemic change.
We envisage this presentation will allow not only for engaged education regarding the issue of justice for victim survivors, but provide a space for deep thinking, insight and reflection to facilitate change to ensure victim-survivors have access to the justice they deserve and identify as essential to their recovery.
This presentation explores the current justice frameworks in place, how they intersect, and the challenges victim-survivors experience in accessing justice through the mechanisms available.
Through the consideration of three distinct case studies of victim-survivors experiences, we reimagine how justice may be achieved via meaningful and accessible support, and genuine opportunities for perpetrator accountability.
Facilitated discussion will further explore options for improvement in this space, including the introduction/strengthening of coercive control laws, review of sentencing practices or moves towards restorative justice; and the integration of specialist services into the criminal justice response.
This engaging, important and current presentation topic will allow conference delegates to embrace the following learning outcomes:
Possess a nuanced and comprehensive knowledge of the current frameworks in place to enact justice for victim survivors.
An understanding informed by lived experience, of the experiences of victim-survivors in attempting to access justice, and the barriers that exist which may make the justice process problematic for victim-survivor to pursue.
An appreciation and reflective consideration of possible reforms that may contribute to victim-survivors meaningful access to justice in the future, and inspiration to advocate for systemic change.
We envisage this presentation will allow not only for engaged education regarding the issue of justice for victim survivors, but provide a space for deep thinking, insight and reflection to facilitate change to ensure victim-survivors have access to the justice they deserve and identify as essential to their recovery.
Biography
Carolyn Self has a Bachelor of Communications with a specialisation in the not-for-profit and social impact space and is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in the Prevention of Gender and Family Violence with Monash University. Carolyn is the Social Enterprise and Business Development Manager for Engender Equality, overseeing the delivery of training and community education for the organisation. Carolyn has experience in the family law and family violence sector, while also acting as a lived experience advocate and is passionate about providing education and influence around family violence to create impactful social change. Carolyn resides in Hobart, Tasmania.
Alina Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Engender Equality
The Criminalisation of Family Violence: How Can We Reimagine Justice for Victim Survivors?
Abstract
In Australia, we are seen to provide justice to victim-survivors via robust response mechanisms enacted by the criminal justice framework, alongside community based response systems. The experiences of victim-survivors of family violence, however, tell a story of a justice framework that instead of providing justice, works to exacerbate a victim’s trauma, increase their risk to safety, and may even put them at risk of criminalisation themselves.
This presentation explores the current justice frameworks in place, how they intersect, and the challenges victim-survivors experience in accessing justice through the mechanisms available.
Through the consideration of three distinct case studies of victim-survivors experiences, we reimagine how justice may be achieved via meaningful and accessible support, and genuine opportunities for perpetrator accountability.
Facilitated discussion will further explore options for improvement in this space, including the introduction/strengthening of coercive control laws, review of sentencing practices or moves towards restorative justice; and the integration of specialist services into the criminal justice response.
This engaging, important and current presentation topic will allow conference delegates to embrace the following learning outcomes:
Possess a nuanced and comprehensive knowledge of the current frameworks in place to enact justice for victim survivors.
An understanding informed by lived experience, of the experiences of victim-survivors in attempting to access justice, and the barriers that exist which may make the justice process problematic for victim-survivor to pursue.
An appreciation and reflective consideration of possible reforms that may contribute to victim-survivors meaningful access to justice in the future, and inspiration to advocate for systemic change.
We envisage this presentation will allow not only for engaged education regarding the issue of justice for victim survivors, but provide a space for deep thinking, insight and reflection to facilitate change to ensure victim-survivors have access to the justice they deserve and identify as essential to their recovery.
This presentation explores the current justice frameworks in place, how they intersect, and the challenges victim-survivors experience in accessing justice through the mechanisms available.
Through the consideration of three distinct case studies of victim-survivors experiences, we reimagine how justice may be achieved via meaningful and accessible support, and genuine opportunities for perpetrator accountability.
Facilitated discussion will further explore options for improvement in this space, including the introduction/strengthening of coercive control laws, review of sentencing practices or moves towards restorative justice; and the integration of specialist services into the criminal justice response.
This engaging, important and current presentation topic will allow conference delegates to embrace the following learning outcomes:
Possess a nuanced and comprehensive knowledge of the current frameworks in place to enact justice for victim survivors.
An understanding informed by lived experience, of the experiences of victim-survivors in attempting to access justice, and the barriers that exist which may make the justice process problematic for victim-survivor to pursue.
An appreciation and reflective consideration of possible reforms that may contribute to victim-survivors meaningful access to justice in the future, and inspiration to advocate for systemic change.
We envisage this presentation will allow not only for engaged education regarding the issue of justice for victim survivors, but provide a space for deep thinking, insight and reflection to facilitate change to ensure victim-survivors have access to the justice they deserve and identify as essential to their recovery.
Biography
Alina Thomas has a sound standing as a spokesperson on family violence and gender inequality in Australia. Alina has been the CEO of Engender Equality for nine years and alongside managing therapeutic services, delivers a range of family violence prevention and response training and provides consultancy in policy development around the issue. Alina has a degree in Social Sciences (Community Services), a post-graduate degree in Women’s Studies, and has trained under the United Nations in Gender Mainstreaming. Alina is widely considered as a leader in the family violence field and has achieved impactful change as a leader in this space.
