Rewrite rules to protect kids, SA violence inquiry told
A royal commission tasked with identifying better ways to recognise and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence is concluding public hearings.
A royal commission into family, domestic and sexual violence will stage its final public hearing after months of “incredibly useful” evidence.
Commissioner Natasha Stott-Despoja has held 100 consultation sessions and received 350 submissions and 800 survey responses since last July.
Public hearings, which began in November, have examined issues including homelessness for victim-survivors, lack of access to forensic medical examinations, prevention and education strategies, and the impact on children and young people.
Expert witnesses have testified about innovative practices and services that “provided insights into clever, novel, innovative work across our nation” and highlighted potential options for the commission to consider, Ms Stott-Despoja said.
“I’ve found the evidence incredibly useful.”
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The South Australian-based commission is tasked with developing prevention strategies, improving early intervention, ensuring best practice responses, supporting recovery and healing and improving co-ordination of agencies.
At a recent hearing, child protection expert Leah Bromfield said she was “really worried” about the role of the virtual world in the socialisation of children.
“They are now being socialised by influencers who are promoting toxic masculinity,” Bromfield said.
“It’s really hard as parents to fight the influence of the virtual world – we need to go further to regulate big tech to actually create more safety.”
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There was already technology big tech companies could use to implement age verification and identify sexual exploitation material, but some were developing it and failing to use it, she said.
Australia also needed to “rewrite the rules” on child protection.
“The hardest part of change is actually being willing to dismantle systems that are no longer serving us,” Bromfield said.
“Let’s drag onto the page all the things that are serving us well and leave behind the things that are not.”
Children were the nation’s “greatest asset”, but 61 per cent were experiencing one or more forms of abuse or neglect.
“That’s telling us that child abuse and neglect is actually experienced by the majority of the population of children,” she said.
“That’s really shocking. I don’t know why we’re not shouting about this from the rooftops.”
Wednesday’s final hearing, focused on “what communities need to thrive”, will identify ways SA can more effectively recognise and respond to violence.
Federal Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin is among the witnesses.
The commission’s final report will be submitted to the SA government by July 1.
