Off the wire
• China Hushen 300 index futures open mixed Monday  • Mexico wins gold, bronze medal in triathlon  • Interview: China drives fundamental shift in Australia's tourism  • Chinese shares open higher on Monday  • Chinese yuan strengthens to 6.1133 against USD Monday  • Australia's navy set to grow as next-generation warships expected to be built locally  • El Salvador still alive after draw against Costa Rica  • Market exchange rates in China -- July 13  • China treasury bond futures open lower Monday  • Extinct volcanoes discovered off Sydney  
You are here: 　 Home

Australia's first royal commission into domestic and family violence begins in Melbourne

Xinhua, July 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australia's first royal commission into the issue of domestic and family violence began in Melbourne on Monday after the issue was dubbed a "national emergency" by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

The Royal Commission into Family Violence will take place over 20 days in Melbourne, with a distinct focus on how to improve public, police and government responses. The state government announced the commission earlier this year and on Monday, Andrews said the inquiry would "give us the answers we need and nothing will be off limits".

"We need a system that protects the vulnerable, punishes the guilty and saves lives," he said.

The inquiry will be headed by former Court of Appeal judge Marcia Neave, who said before the first hearings on Monday that it would make suitable recommendations to the state government about the best way to tackle the issue.

She said the commission's aim is to "set strategic directions for the future", but not undertake "forensic investigation".

The royal commission has received more than 1,000 submissions and will hear evidence from victims, family violence experts and Victoria Police.

Neave said the inquiry would also evaluate current prevention and response strategies, programs and services, and notify the government on how it can better its efforts. She said it would take time to properly enact such measures.

"Of course, family violence cannot be eradicated overnight," she said.

Neave said one of the main issues facing the commission was changing the public perception and the way the authorities respond to family violence.

The commission was promised by then-Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews in the lead-up to the state election last November, following the murder of 11-year-old Luke Batty by his father.

Batty's mother, Rosie, was named Australian of the Year in January for her campaign against family and domestic violence.

In 2013, in Victoria alone, there were 44 family violence- related deaths and more than 65,000 cases of violence reported to local authorities.

Family and domestic violence is estimated to cost the state more than 2.8 billion U.S dollars every year.

The hearings will run for 20 days, with the findings expected to be handed down by February next year. Endi