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1 week ago

From the Legal Aid NSW Newsletter:

New laws to protect domestic violence victims
Domestic violence victims to have greater protection in NSW with the introduction of tougher strangulation laws and longer Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs).

Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward announced the State Government will introduce legislation to Parliament in coming weeks.

Mr Speakman said the announcement sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated.

“Reducing domestic violence is one of the Premier’s top priorities. If passed, these reforms will provide better outcomes for victims, make perpetrators more accountable and help reduce domestic violence reoffending,” Mr Speakman said.

A simpler strangulation offence will be introduced that will be easier to prove, with a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

“The new offence will resolve the current situation whereby many strangulation incidents are being prosecuted under lesser charges such as common assault, for which the maximum sentence is two years imprisonment.”

Ms Goward said the new strangulation offence recognises the results of research which demonstrate such attacks can be a precursor to tragedy.

“Strangulation is a red flag for domestic violence homicide, so it’s important NSW has a specific offence formulated to capture domestic violence strangulation,” Ms Goward said.

“These reforms are another example of how this Government is tougher than ever on the criminals who commit acts of domestic and family violence.”

If passed, the new law will exist alongside the current strangulation offences in the Crimes Act. ... See MoreSee Less